I live about an hour from most of the areas I would potentially invest in, so doing the maintenance and any lawncare may not always be possible depending on work travel.I was thinking I need to:A) find a good real estate agent (in the Baltimore, western MD, Northern VA, and Winchester VA regions) B) obtain pre-approval for financing prior to putting in offers.C) research and obtain quotes for property management companies.D) find a trustworthy handyman in each of the areas mentioned prior to or immediately after obtaining a property.Any other key items and steps you would recommend for a person going in on a first deal like a obtaining a lawyer to review contracts?

This may not help at the moment but you can find trust worthy lenders that same way you would find anyone else that is trust worthy.

But I'm a little lost where I can find a reasonable and trust worthy lender to work with and build a business relationship with because I'm looking to buy at least 10 rental properties by the end of the year.

I'd like a recommendation on a trustworthy flat fee agent/broker specifically based in Ohio.

He may not be that much help right now, but can definitely become a great asset later on as he is loyal, trustworthy, prompt, does great work, and has great work and business ethics.

Can anyone refer me to a TRUST WORTHY central Iowa contractor to help fix up a property?

Does anyone use a service or have someone trustworthy that does this type of work well? 

Depends on the Agent....some less trustworthy agents have a hard time working in an intermediary capacity.Next have the property inspected....structure, mechanical and pest.

Ideally you get a trustworthy buyer and they maintain insurance after they buy it, while you hold the note.

)If the credit repair company is the best solution, how do I know which credit repair company is trustworthy?