Also if you are a bookworm, check out the list of BP's 21 Best Real Estate Books, and start checking them off.Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.I live/work in the city and am happy to discuss REI there anytime...Best of luck!

Paying them cash does not protect you if they get hurt while they are running around doing things for you...VA's are great, but that is really for online type of work. 

I was looking at FHA loans, but they seem pretty strict on guidelines and the duplexes i have been looking at online are very low price and I'm worried they wont pass the home inspection to qualify.

I am looking for a program which tenants can use to pay their rent online.

For emotional support pets, a letter from a physician can be required - but these are available for online purchase for $99.Bottom line:  If a tenant claims to have a disability requiring a service animal (considered only to be dogs, or small ponies/horses per ADA), you have no choice to allow the animal and you may not charge additional rent or deposit. 

I'm currently out of state so I find it very convenient for me to be able to put the service request in online immediately after my tenant reports an issue, and they arrange for a reputable local company that they have a contract with to come out and assess the issue.

If you have a portal or on line file with credit data in it you need to make sure you stay in control of it and it doesn't get sent all over the web.   

Many counties have the municode online, e.g. https://www.municode.com/ 

We are in our research phase, so we're doing lots of reading, listening to podcasts (that's how I found you guys), looking at real estate online, etc. 

I'm a bit open as to where to invest / move to because I work online but so far have been looking at the Seattle area and Austin, TX markets.