You add your coverage yourself online and can see all your properties listed on one screen to manage them.

There is a cumbersome way to do it on paper forms, but you should not.The only sensible way is to submit your 1099s to the IRS online, however not directly with the IRS.

You can find online which larger institutions are buying in a specific area and try and reach out to them.

If I am self managing my portfolio, what do I need to check/confirm, and what easily available tools are at my disposal (online, other) to help me do this? 

Usually you can find this online.#3 Chances are you will never buy a $500,000 property for $30,000. 

Check out other online guides available here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides3.

If you do not find success there, there are some online companies like SpaceJoy, Decorilla, Havenly etc.

I am 14 hours into the 20-hour online course offered by "RealEstateU."

Thanks, Jim Rice in person or online?

You may have to do this several times for all the different tasks being done.The only labor cost not covered by this type of online inquiry is drive time from the businessto the property, to the store & back for supplies and then back to the business address.