The "big" firms like AA may get a lot of hype but they generally can't compete on the next level tax strategies (Family office type strategies) nor customer service as their employee turnover is quite high.  

What strategies or lessons did you learn along the way?

The best strategy I seem to have deployed so far was to contact all my current tenants and let them know I’d give them a cash referral fee of $250 for anyone they recommend to me that goes through the vetting process and successfully moves in.

We've utilized the VA loan for our current home, and this strategy has worked well so far.

Talk with a CPA or read tax strategies (you may be able to save yourself some money).

If in your shoes, I'd be sorting my marketing strategy, and jazzy ways to do my frunishings, marketing budget, how to Gorilla the hell out of it.

Also because they focus on one strategy. 

Clearly, shes not happy and an unhappy tenant usually results in more issues down the road, and you can bet they'll be expensive issues. 

There are a few strategies you might consider to accelerate things.One option is a cash-out refinance.

Given the competitive market at the time, every property was receiving multiple offers, and securing a deal required both strategy and speed.