Check out the Blog I wrote that details some of the steps to take if you're looking to find and operate a successful rental. http://www.hawaiilife.com/articles/2014/09/vacation-rental-ownership-tips/

The mistake I made was not doing enough research on a person I chose to work with because I had been told by a BP article writer/podcast interviewee that this person was a good guy when I emailed him for a recommendation. 

I kind of shrugged it off because my mother can be a bit of a worrier and she had no facts for me but I was just reading this article in fortune and it mention a similar warning.

Yeah I read one of the articles on using CPA's online. 

This morning I read an article posted on MSN.com regarding whether or not Detroit will receive a government bailout to help improve the diminished economy of the Motor City.  

Since the location on your posts indicates you might be from out of town/state, here's a very recent article that goes into some detail on the current redevelopment plans, and timeline, for the movie theater near the property you're looking at: http://www.c-ville.com/new-owner-says-downtown-regal-to-reopen-as-dine-in-movie-theater-next-fall/#.VGjO38lWmngUp until the Stonefield development opened almost exactly two years ago (late 2012) with more screens, stadium seating and IMAX, the Regal downtown mall theater was pretty much the spot in the greater Charlottesville area for the dinner-and-a-movie crowd. 

They are both great at learning the fundamentals.Also - here's a couple articles you might enjoy:The 21 Best Real Estate Investing Books Ever How to Rent Your House: The Definitive Step by Step GuideHow to Be a Landlord: Ten Tips for SuccessOh - and don't forget to set up your Keyword Alerts!

You can set up a Maryland LLC online it's quicker and if you pay the expedition fee you can get the articles of organization in a day or so.

Intriguing article, definitely matches up with other research I've done on the Milwaukee market.

If any investors would like to let me know what they would think about lending to a newbie such as myself, or maybe even a contract to loan exchange would combine all of my aspirations, I am eager to hear from real people instead of the theoretical views of articles.