After you ha e an idea of what it really takes to do a good job managing a rental, then you are far better equipped to know what to look for when hiring a management company.

Call an equipment rental company called Sunbelt Rentals.

So I would approach the value on what the comps say plus any furniture / equipment that is included given that this stuff is used.

Thinking this would be a near worse case scenarioRehab PlanThinking I could possibly do interior upgrades, modernize the office into something appealing, (could be as simple as removing the paneling and exposing the brick, redividing the offices, updating the baths etc) and then rent out individual office spaces and charge $400-600 a mo for each office space - They'd be gross leases and I'd take care of all utilities, janitorial etc -- would not provide any onsight receptionist, fax machines etc -- each person would provide their own office equip -- I could potentially provide office furniture if needed, plenty of good used stuff to be found locallyThinking at a min 7-8 office suites, possibly more -- Per agent and my knowledge of community/research online I dont think a setup exists like this to attract possibly an IT person, a 1 man/woman business such as an accountant etc.  

It would be a pretty big under taking with them still occupying the unit due to their equipment. 

You will learn a TON, and you'll be well-equipped to start buying soon.Let me know if there's anything I can do to help!

Certainly get that I'll have to replace any mechanical equipment submerged.

DD then is to exclude each time as a possible risk, or determine the impact of failing the investigation.eg:  numbers show cash flow;  go/no-gounit properly zoned for my intent;  go/no-gocan't get title insurance or clear title; - - puntall encumbrances (2nd, 3rd, liens) understood and declared; go/no-gocan I market/rent at FMV and make a profit; go/no-go roofing; $$$foundation; $$$plumbing, including sewer line inspection; $$$heating & cooling equip; $$needs paint, just a one time expense $broken window, awe heck, smallish, one time expense $go thru the list and PUNT if the pain gets too much(expensive) OR make an offer if you can live with it.

This states the home has been approved and available to be a rental.And some of these must be applied for every time a tenant moves.So check your state laws.There are Landlord Tenant Laws, Building Codes, and laws that are not laws at all but based on a Judge’s opinion of whether or not a tenant did wrong or not.For instance, normal wear and tear.Judges have various opinions on what they deem normal wear and tear.This is an Industry of thinking skills.This is an industry of holding your temper and implementing your lease agreement no matter what.You need to think like a Judge.You need to think reasonably.You need to be a good listener.You need to be in control.Once you buy a house you need to know how to keep that house and how to keep your tenants long term.You need to know how to be all things in order to keep your tenants happy, yet make them know the rules of landlording and how to be good tenants.I always say that one is only as good as the tools they have.You could be the greatest landlord in the world in mind and action, but if you don’t have the equipment, or the education, or the money to invest in the proper tools to make you successful, then you will never make it in this business.It takes my breath away to read the stuff on here by new investors.And I understand that how can they know what they do not know?

If that's the case you may want to work on an exit strategy so that someone better equipped to handle this can take them off your hands.