(You don't have access to this kind of info at first).

There are plenty of online tools available to help you develop a plan which gives you the ability to track progress.

I learned that during a downturn is truly when real wealth can be created, BUT; you need three things in order to actually make something happen:-Knowledge: understanding your market and recognizing an opportunity-Cash (or access to cash): Banks don't take chances when the market is down. 

Do you guys do this online through websites like legal zoom or have your accountant/lawyer do it for you?

The forum rules can seem pretty strict, but they have allowed this community to remain the best online real eatate forum for over a decade while other sites are over run with spam.https://www.biggerpockets.com/rules

So today I was doing maintenance at one of my rentals, I opened the closet to access the central AC handler unit to change the filter and after I opened the closet door,  I had to rearrange a few things to clear the space to the left so I can have a clear path to the filter slot.As I moved some clothes to the right my hand touched what appeared to be a human head on the rack.I quickly jumped back and in my mind was a scene in Silence of the Lambs...I tripped on myself and fell on my butt.I was so scared LOL.Glad the tenant wasn't there.

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

If you have access to conventional financing and have the down payment and rehab in cash, you will save a lot of money but you won’t have as much leverage.

Also, YOU need to be the person who makes the monthly mortgage payment, or the seller needs to provide you with online portal access to the mortgage lender's website or have statements sent to your address / email - so that you can make sure that it is being paid.

.- Online passive syndicate crowd funding.