After that it all comes down to how well you market the property to ensure you get a top candidate for the right price!

I was set on transforming this common room into a small efficiency apartment or fifth unit. 

The RE market is efficient.  

I have a few follow questions to some of your much appreciated points. 1) Who would you ask for referrals and how would you ask to ensure that you would be taken care of in the same manner that the person referring was?

A couple of factors are at play.First, rents trail purchases because it's a less efficient market. 

I recommend educating yourself on how to approach it legally just to ensure that you are abiding by all of the SEC guidelines.

That will allow you to utilize the same property manager, title co, etc and it can be a little more efficient.

It will not only map the properties for you it can also map out the most efficient driving route. 

In either case, I recommend you give them written notice 30 days prior just to ensure there's no confusion.I don't see anything in the law that requires you to give a reason but it shouldn't hurt.

Ensure the outside does not obviously look like a retired garage door space.