If you're doing a large list, I'd say pay for a quality skip tracing service.

So much hinges on : 1. the quality of the rehab (condition of the house), 2. the quality of the neighborhood (will you be able to attract and retain good tenants), and 3. whether you have really good property management. 

Wow, that's a great story, I'm looking to get my first property myself, trying to close before the end of year, with the current events looking to hunt for quality deals and multiply year over year.

I know screening and acquiring quality tenants can prevent this issue, but say somehow this happens.

If you're providing a quality home, why would they leave if you're in line with the market price?

It would be better to pay 35-45k for something in decent shape confirmed by a quality home inspection. 

Dude... seriously...Find leads yourself and you will never be held hostage to these companies and your leads will be far better in quality and far higher in quantity... and it is free!

There are certainly attorneys who are well priced and who are efficient with their time, but quality is still difficult to assess without having first worked with them.

The quality of home inspectors varies greatly based on:- ability to identify all relevant issues (no inspector will find 100% if you include minor issues)- correct interpretation of the issue (minimizing/maximizing of the issue)- ability to answer questions in a factual and practical way- quality of the report, easy to read, easy to understand (for the seller, who was not there!!)

They include water quality, septic, amount of heating fuel used and a very long list of other items.Bottom line is that you should get a buyer's agent on board.