Right now, I am mainly looking for a buy and hold rental property in the Charlotte and surrounding areas.I appreciate the recommendations ahead of time!

You need to know what you're getting into ahead of time before you make such a move. 

If you rent is paid electronically to a website or something you can send a friendly monthly email about 5 days ahead of time.Include greetings like happy holidays and what not so they don't think you're harassing a good on time tenant.

What they do off the property isn't your concern, until and unless they bring it inside.If they are smoking inside, agree with others to go ahead and remove them if you wish.But if them "getting away with it" is to completely leave your property and smoke at the street, I'm not clear on your issue.

Yes, you will make some money on the cash flow and some years will be better than others but what you will probably find over time is that after 5 years you are only slightly ahead in terms of income.

I gave her a heads up and she was able to cough up the balance minus the fees.

We are in for some VERY interesting times just ahead. 

So go ahead with the purchase even it is a manageable negative flow.Are there other costs associated that I need to know about?

It is also public record.Also just to give you a heads up, the foreclosure market has also gotten much more competitive.  

I think I will just go ahead and attack my debt full-force so that I can begin on reducing my school loans as soon as possible and begin investment savings sooner.