@Carson Plant a good Property Manager will protect your property, protect your income stream, and reduce your headaches.

I realize it's not much but I'd like to use it to get started and get my feet planted into real estate. 

We do have some good industry in our town including a canning company and dairy plant.

Outside looks like a prison, add a couple cheap potted plants near the entry to give a little happiness and pride.

A good stage job is going to include wall hangings, bathroom decorations, plants, etc.

I'm planning to cut the grass, fill in holes (dogs like digging), but I don't know if I should plant anything or put down new mulch.

You also want to avoid areas that are slipping down into ghettos or that have some sort of long range government plans that are going to hurt values.Don't buy were the city is placing a sewer plant 5 years from now.I recommend areas that have something desirable about them: good weather, growing populations, close to water or outdoor sports activities.

I've been to the festival a few times as well.How is the Plant City market?  

@Brock Adams  the issue come to find out is the attorney has to hire and pay for a title abstractor as an independent contractor.. so they are reluctant to do that until they think the deal is going to close. so I have to pay for it up front. ( cost of doing business on my end)Where as in on the Left coast were we use title and escrow companies the county records are digitized and in their in house title plant and they can spit out title commitments very cheaply and rapidly. and you NEVER pay for them in advance.. and if I cancel a deal they just suck it up as cost of doing business.. unlike a closing attorney in SC they expect to get paid as they have paid a 3rd party vendor ( and I can't blame them at all either ).. its just wild how far behind some of the east coast states are in getting title into the 21st century or at least the second 2/3rds of it   :)

It is always best to plant a seed and let the potential lender approach you when you catch their attention.There is another group of private lenders that I call experienced private lenders who you may meet if you attend local REIA meetings.