We screen our tenants extensively, but having a proven tenant that has been there a while (and takes care of the place) is a very comforting feeling. 

These are all important things to consider and we'll be more comfortable with our decision because your input.  

As the strategist in putting together deals you must concern yourself with 1) end goals of all parties  2) experience and skill of all parties  3) the fears of all parties  4) the emotional condition of all parties 5) The risk acceptance of all parties 6) the comfort level of all parties and 6) your strength of relationship with all parties.

Contact me through whatever means you find comfortable to you, I can send a resume if needed, or chat, talk, or meet somewhere.

If you are comfortable with your contractor then stay in prayer and keep moving forward.

Then see which one you are more comfortable with.I definitely recommend reading the Ultimate Beginner's Guide.It's a good idea to setup your keyword alerts as well.

If you're comfortable having rentals outside of State College but within a driving distance so you could check them out once and awhile, look into turkeys.

I can definitely see your initial concerns and coming from a more media-friendly big city myself (San Diego), i can see where the hesitation may be in exploring a city like Detroit all by your lonesome.I've recently relocated here and the more I do research and  get my bearings, the more comfortable I'm becoming in narrowing down my areas I'd want to invest in.

In some jurisdictions the security officers are allowed to collaborate with the police to maximize safety.

With small houses, the kind I like looking at and living in, a stager puts in the kind of furnishings and decor that make it seem comfortable and not cramped.