Also, I was reviewing the BP tutorial for new members, to better understand how to navigate the forums and the site but the info is different and seems outdated.  

Verifying last 2 years of rental history and income extremely important to find the “best of the worst”.Make sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.We've also classified Metro Detroit Cities & Detroit Neighborhoods, PM us for more info.What else can we assist you with?

If you have a cat that pees or sprays, understand that even if LVP is waterproof, it can seep through where planks connect or edges/trim to reach to the subfloor or slab, causing major odor issues. 

It is crucial to thoroughly understand the specific market in which you are investing.

Understanding the local market there, like rental rates and property trends, is crucial but hard to do from far away.Finding a reliable property manager is vital for tasks like tenant screening and repairs.

However the property I ended up with has an odd black/brown countertop pattern with an 80s style oak cabinet stain, along with brown floors and a beige backsplash, so it's brown on brown on brown.

Not only will it help you understand the industry better, but you'll be able to analyze the market/deals yourself.There are plenty of online resources to help you accomplish this within a few months, and I'm sure it will open a lot of doors for you down the line.

Something that makes it clear that both parties understand they've been under the same lease the entire time.

I mentioned that as an option because the OP sounds like he has very little understanding of RE investing. 

Get a solid understanding of the business via going to local REIA's, signing up for free webinars and attending events4.