Many of these PM's have too much on their plate and are unable to provide you with consistent communication.

I can only speak to Milwaukee, but on average the three distressed properties I have purchased over the past ten years have appreciated an average of 200% all while providing steady cash flow.  

When you say they were incompetent can you provide more feedback for novice investors. 

So I’ve read that unbrella insurance providers require you to use them for car and home.

Shared housing provides affordable, flexible rental options for young professionals, remote workers, and students.As shown above, co-living properties have more demand than traditional two-bedroom units and appeal to a wider tenant base.2.

HELOCs let you access equity as needed, keeping costs low unless you use the funds.Key considerations: If you plan to scale quickly, the HELOC might provide the liquidity you need for faster moves.

Is anyone aware of any of a property management tool that allows PMs to give discounts to tenants who enroll in autopay (similar to how major US phone providers like do these days)?

Connecting with experienced investors or joining local real estate groups can provide valuable insights and help you avoid costly mistakes.

But perhaps you would be better served helping a local experienced investor find deals and ask them to show you exactly how they analyze deals, what's good vs bad, how do they finance (debt vs equity) etc etc and understand their business model that has a proven track record by providing value to them.

You will also provide the whole amount if you plan on repaying the loan in full beforehand.