I know a few expeditors that could at least give it to you straight and point you in the right direction, even if you don't end up hiring them. 

She called and told me straight off that her husband has 2 prior felonies.

At least in NJ its straight ad valorem, with the various tax assessors updating assessments in a periodic hodgepodge way...Pre 2007, our attorneys did the closings and the brokers held the initial deposits. 

Essentially, should we take this step-by-step approach rather than jumping straight into being landlords?

I installed a 2 1/2 ton straight AC with heat strip unit today for $3,900 out the door.  

I'm not sure how straight-forward your rental amounts are, but I needed the ability to line-item out several different charges (CAM fees, etc.) as well as have different base rent amounts based on the year of the lease (cost of living increases yearly) and found that Innago was the best fit for me. 

Instead of asking people that may give bad advice, go straight to the source.

@Basit Siddiqi getting straight to the point :) 

Condos are pretty straight forward, but as a foreigner you are not allowed to own the land.  

I often see folks jump straight to being an active investor, and I know just how much work that can be, often for disappointing financial rewards.It's generally better to be the bank!