When talking to property managers, ask questions regarding any guarantees they offer owners and refer to any online reviews to get a better idea of how tenants and other owners feel about working with the company.

Luckily I was in a buyer's market at the time, but about 75% of agents did not even respond to me and I could not set up appointments online because I was not a MLS member.   

I remember the few experienced people I was able to speak with back in the day before online forums.

There are so many online hard money lenders.

Been getting nowhere with zoning laws found online and in the local library for Yonkers (in westchester county) as to whether any permits are needed in order to operate such a business. 

-I'm fairly careful with communication , but again, I know doing business online is way riskier, but I want to ask: Typically, I would trust someone who seems very in-depth, informative (gives statistics and numbers), and basically would give me thorough steps (including worst-case scenarios and what would best fit my situation)^^would people who have experience say that even with the above, some agents/lenders/PMs would still be sort of out to get your money and do a lousy job?

@Shaheen Ahmed you can find all the info you need online if you know where to look - except that the City of Detroit Assessor's Office is consistently undervaluing properties to keep property taxes attractive for investors - to keep improving the city:)Here's some copy & paste infor for Michigan Property Taxes that you might be able to use as a template for other areas - or you could start investing in Detroit:)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Michigan has some of the most complicated property taxes in the USA.

Another option you will see online are companies selling shares to sections or lots of trees via a tree plantation management company.  

Apologize if these questions are vague, I am quite new to this.Happy to provide some of the data I have found thus far (though data online is scarce given the size of the town).Thanks!

@Keetaek HongI use QuickBooks Online (QBO) for my flipping business, rental businesses, and bookkeeping clients.However, many on the forums will advise against QBO.