Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

There are a number of rent collection websites that make the process super easy. 

If you are truly concerned about the legitimacy of this "bank" you could look them up see the size of there portfolio on the fdic website. 

@Kris JohnsonBP decided to delete the links to my blog (on my website).You can find my BP-approved blogs below.

The Fort Collins based investor club, NCREIG, did a almost 2 hour class in Fort Collins on how to select and manage your property manager last year.

Tim Ivory in my experience the values listed on a tax accessor website are less than what it’d be worth to sell.

Then. my county has a website that has the deed and contact information for the owner of the property.

I would go on my county’s tax assessors website to get an idea.

(I'm in the bay area and all I have as of now is a website and social media.)

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.