At least prepare solid rent history showing how much you collected and if it was paid on time. 

Again, be prepared to call A LOT

Major corporation's leave all the time so be prepared!   

Prepare a list of 10 key questions, such as:How long have you been managing properties?

Well, none of those things are action - they may be worthwhile preparation to take action, but they're not action itself. 

Additionally, I am financially prepared to sustain hard money loan payments for up to two years, which is realistic for resolving occupancy issues in NYC.

There will be lots of learning as you go so be prepared to bumps in the road and learn from every experience/situation 

One thing that we were not prepared for was the new lender required that our tenants have a signed lease agreement before we could move forward with the new house.

Time is critical, especially in competitive markets.Clear Offer Terms - Present a firm offer with terms that make the seller feel confident that you can close fast, with minimal contingencies or proof of funds.Due Diligence Preparation - Have your financing lined up and know your repair/rehab costs in advance so you can move quickly without second-guessing.

This is helpful for monthly bookkeeping and tax return preparation.