You might ask if they offer referrals for traveling professionals or families on extended stays.

I get the best contractors and referrals from investors doing this day in and out and who already have a solid contractor team in place.Where do you find these big players?

There's probably someone in your state that already has a good referral for you in this regard.

We'll need boots on the ground and perhaps you already have referrals for property managers/handymans that can help us with the inspections and required fixes.

Make sure the Flat Fee Company is NOT a referral service, that the broker is reachable and licensed ... check reviews and license numbers (licenses should be listed on the home site), they should allow at least 25 pictures, no charge for changes, and a good customer service.

@Shaun BeckRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

If we need to find our own PM, we will strictly base on referral and reference.

Your best referral method will be owners telling other owners how great you have been.

Looking for some referrals for contractors who could come and check a finished basement that had minor flooding after the recent storm in Chicago (Avondale).

I know some people out of Fostoria if you're still looking for some referrals!