I INTERVIEWED several banks for 9 months until I got everything that I wanted. 

PM's manage a lot of units so they simplify their systems which unfortunately can eliminate any control for the landlord.Interviewing:  You will want to interview a few PM's and make sure they communicate how you prefer. 

I had interviewed 12 different families, some section 8, others not.

You may consider "interviewing" these or any other small locals in the triangle to see if they can meet your needs......Good luck!

What they are good at is looking for damage and many are good at recognizing potential code issues.  

You have to see what 100k looks like in each market or 50k or 200k to get it and you have to start to recognize things that are off about properties.For a first flip, I would flip a condo.

Regardless of how you find them, try to interview at least three managers1.

My other concern is that they wouldn't have the connections with any local contractors, but again, these are just assumptions, and I will absolutely interview 5 PM's in Philly just as I did with those in the surrounding areas of Ptown.I interviewed 5 PM's back in August, and asked for referrals here on BP, which is how I got my current manager.

They don’t necessarily hold out for the “holy grail” but rather recognize that good investments are plentiful and also lucrative.!

They know more about what contractors pull as profits much better than any investor using one will, we have to recognize that even contractors get loans and turn over their financials and jobs and estimates to these same lenders.