Next month, rent was a few days late, utility still not paid, and the tenant wasn't communicating with me.

I learned a lot about scope of work, communication, and expectations......

.* Structural Engineer to assess the damage* Make sure you communicate with the city, to learn of their requirements. * Contractors* Broker/Agent to help you with compsJohn

you could do a lease option, or  a delayed settlement with right of possession you could give the seller a skinning contract subject n an auction, you keep the overage juicemaybe offer to buy the mortgage at a discountyou could do a management agreement with purchase optiona simple "wrap mortgage" would workpossible create an LLC for seller with one asset, buy the LLCif you take property "subject to", make sure you have the deed signed and held in escrowhave a management agreement signed, so the lender can be notified to communicate with you in all matters related to the property and mortgage  - this will help to prevent due on sale clausehave a written "meeting of the minds statement between all parties to the transactionmake full disclosuremake sure your assignment clause is in orderget a title searchvideo property before possessionmake all mortgage payment on timeif there is some equity you could put together a partnership to rise some cashcanvas all other owners on the street for more deals, record the deed and get a new mortgage (but always ask first for a pay-off discount before closinggood luck 

Should I be in communication with her?

Which rental property management companies would you recommend as trustworthy and easy to work with/communicate with? 

Good communication skill is super important for a PM since he's like the bridge to all kinds of people.

For example, you could offer the tenants the opportunity to forfeit the deposit and walk away which limits their losses to the security deposit. if you take two months to find a new tenant, they are obligated to pay two months worth of rent and their losses will be significantly higher.Personally, I would cut off all communication and maintain the lease agreement until a replacement tenant is found.

Coz it seems your tenant is hard to communicate with.

Just the logistics of communication and decision making alone are a struggle.