I was looking for signs of economic growth big employers hiring more employees, a new hotel and conference center was built, etc.

Second, typically even if properties are in great shape you still will want to spend some money on repairs, typically one of the better ways to make money in real estate is to find properties that can have value added to them, via hiring contractors to do repairs and improve the property. 

The tax write off is worth more to me to hire someone else to do it

Which I don’t plan too.However, am I able to open a brokerage, own 100% of the business and hire a principal broker for a profit share?

In either case, you can't work on the property as it must be a passive investment (e.g. you must hire someone to fix the toilet and can't pay the expense with non-retirement funds).7.

I just hired my first property manager but in my market.

Im less concerned with actual areas and just more interested in trying to figure out the best size of the property as I always hire property managers.

Hire a great agent who has the time to hold your hand.

Do you know anyone who specializes in this that I could hire?

I have been doing this in INDY  and Charleston and you can do it in virtually any city in the US.. thats were the real quick flip money is made.. now on these we are building new construction so on top of the equity we made on the lots we will make about 50k per new build .. so 250k profit or so on a 50k investment in less than 9 months or i could go buy a rental and make 300 a month if I am lucky  LOL. because thats were the real money is made.