Keeping the house in CT. while moving to another part of the country would necessitate a property manager. 

unless  maybe you are buying in an area with a lot of good deals hanging around.....?

The alternative is that the contractor hangs the drywall on the crooked joists and you get a job that doesnt look good .

Short story is I did the walkthrough on a potential investment property sfh and it needed work but it was an off the mls deal from an out of town investor who had some family members living there mooching off her until finally she decided she wants to sell the property....anyway, I close on the deal and go to the property to do my post closing walkthrough and the previous live ins decided they would take a few light switches and light fixtures and they took all the bulbs out of the house....left wiring hanging out where light fixtures should be....anyway, so I get a good light bulb and test out the bathroom fixtures and master bedroom lights and they do not work!  

Our PM is still hanging it. 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think you're over-rehabbing that property if you're planning on hanging onto it for a long term rental. 

If you use a drum sander you can really do some damage if you don't get the hang of it quick (but this is a learning experience so I say go for it even with the drum). 

Second if you ever run into Paul Arena with Arena Construction hang onto him and don't let him go.

Buy yea you should try to work with a broker once you get the hang of it.

He suggested I join his group (hang my license) as they would like someone like me with wholesaling/Investing knowledge in my area etc..