Look up the default risk by credit score, this information is readily available online. 

Your tenants obligation was to pay you on Jan 1, so it doesn't matter if they paid someone else they still owe you...obviously details re: notice and dates all come into play here and from a practical perspective I'd work with the tenant and not move to evict over this.

Since the last time I was online, I have grown the investing to fix and flipping and a portfolio of 4 properties that are producing passive income.  

Networking with local real estate groups or online forums could help you find recommendations for PM companies that have a proven track record in Birmingham 

I recommend investing in the area where you live and trying out house hacking—it’s a practical way to dip your toes into real estate!

I found it researching online after many months.

It is not very difficult or complicated to evaluate commercial real estate, there are plenty of good books available that can teach you how, textbooks, online courses, community college classes, even excellent youtube videos etc, and it is actually quite enjoyable in the process to learn.

I didn’t know anyone in Alabama, so I called a few agents I found online and ended up picking one from BiggerPockets.

However, if all they offer is general info, I think you can find most of it yourself in Bigger Pockets and other online sources.

I don’t think it matters one way or the other just make sure they have some sort of online portal.