I'd highly recommend you sitting in one training class for each broker you interview, and judge for yourself on the quality/quantity.

Yeah, I would stay away from Phoenix just because of the quality of tenant you are going to get.  

Depending on the quality of the finish work on the slab, it is feasible to keep the concrete as your finished floor and I've seen it done with a faux marble finish that looked great.  

Borrowed money that must be paid back is NOT income and is not taxable as income.If you sell the property for more than the balance on the refinanced loan, then the outstanding loan balance will be repaid from the settlement proceeds.  

Vacancy rates, which types of properties rents the best, tenant quality, etc.

Most homes can be broken down into class A, B, C, D areas for the quality of the neighbor hood.

You are right that you have to know what you're looking at in comps because two identical row homes can have or lack features that make a huge difference to the user's quality of life.

Good point @Joe Fairless a few quality connections is a lot more valuable than spamming out your cards.

Maybe we can chat some evening, or meet up the next time I come to town (I'm one of those out of area investors in search of quality and cash flow).  

Knowing your market, rents, tenant expectations of the quality of a unit, etc. and key to being successful.