With the selection on PM's, I mean this respectfully, maybe you do not understand how to find a good PM.

With exception of one mentor who I greatly admire and respect, I have spent 1000's over the years on RE courses collectively and not experienced this kind of support, encouragement or expertise without having to pay quite a bit for it.

When speaking with a lender, let them know what you have planned for the next 3-5 years with respect to RE investing.

Its not, Its ALL about price, think about it :)  Respectfully disagree if your doing fix and flip to resell to homeowners its critical for rental purposes other than low End section 8 its also important.. renters want good schools also.. buyers its paramount.. 

I don't know if this is one of the new things or not, but this is now in there under 3.7.7, "You also acknowledge and agree that we may on occasion offer discount pricing for your Property; provided that (i) any such offers will be available with respect to a broad number of Listings and not limited to your Property; (ii) we will provide you with electronic notice of such discount(s); and (iii) you may opt out of a particular offer."

@Franck Armand, I'm not sure who informed you, but those respective markets are all well past the gentrification phase.

I know that it is generally good advice and I would learn a lot by doing it, but I am firm with my desire to be a passive investor with respect to managing tenants.

This couldn't be more of a true statement with the current clients I'm dealing with.. on one spectrum, I have clients that are incredibly respectful take my recommendations and listen and on the other I have people who are just plain rude and are a pain to work with. 

Appears this may be a C/D property problem disguised as a TP issue.The point of my raising the fact that I replace anything that is broken is to suggest that I’m not a slumlord…I do take pride in what I do and I respect and try to keep up with any repairs in a timely manner.

Do this diligence yourself.You're just asking agents from their respective cities to chime in on why they're the best.