I would consider putting SOME money down if you've got savings Doing this would improve your DTI for future purposes and improve your cash flow and equity performance.

What corporate service company have you used that can form the entity, perform registered agent and registered office service?

Your price point makes the task even more challenging.

As you've seen, it's very easy to make poorly performing apartment complexes look good by just plugging in assumptions, but once you own the place, you'll realize that things like 5% maint, 5% capex, and 8% vacancy are numbers you could only dream of. 

Even if a vendor has performed poorly in the past and cut corners, would they share that information with a prospective client?

I self manage and self perform most maintenance requests.

The older hardboard is still holding up/performing in drier climates when installation was good, eg no nails overdriven and z flashing used where needed, and it was kept caulked and painted, including the seams, window trim and paint on the lower exposed edges and it was installed a distance from the ground.

Do you have a general idea of the tasks each partner will take on?

For example, the latest study I read said a solar system in New York will increase sales price around 5% while Riverside, CA only increased 2.5%.Whatever you do, don't listen to "studies" performed by solar companies.

You were willing to trade $2500 for them to come to do the job, despite the fact that you were bothered enough by the no call, no show to write a scathing review one day after they had not performed.