But my rates are very high on BDC because there's no way to collect a deposit online from guests (and I'm not going to ask for cash in hand like BDC recommends). 

Online and by one in one How did you finance this deal?

post/code the deposits and expenses (loaded comment) Without even yet talking about expenses, just Deposits for example: Quick book takes time if you invoice and let renters pay you online.

The previous owners had allowed certain key aspects of this property to fall into an UNSAFE level of disrepair.

I have started working with the mortgage broker my realtor recommended, but would like to get at least two other offers to compare.Mostly curious about going with a local person vs. some of the online sites, like Rocket Mortgage, etc.?

I still have plenty more to explore, but am I just going to be treading water if I keep looking for contractors through online sources (yelp, homeadvisor) that won't blow my budget?

I advise you against looking for an online boilerplate paperwork.

Then I would start with an online search for whatever they are called in your state. 

I haven’t heard of this property management and I have not been able to find many reviews online. 

I cannot tell you the many times where the pictures never matched the house I was looking at online.