So glad you found Bigger Pockets early in your journey.A few tips that may be helpful to you here on the Bigger Pockets website as you build your portfolio:You can set up keyword alerts so anytime someone posts about any of the Washington markets you're evaluating, you'll be notified.

I would hate to renovate a building to be used as a restaurant then a convenient store company reaches out to me to discuss leasing options.

I was hoping to get some tips/ideas/critiques.When I went to the houses that were "Non Owner Occupied" there were a few houses that had people living in them!

@Dmitriy Fomichenko Thank you for the tips. 

Apologies for the basic question, but I haven't been able to find a clear answer online.

I have to pay a monthly fee even if I don't do any tenant screening, but the platform also allows me to collect rent online and I don't believe they actually hold the money, unlike some other companies that have held, (and lost!)

There are online sites for landlords (such as BiggerPockets) and online sites for renters (Google "apartment ratings" and pretend you are a renter looking for a place to live).

Leasing was getting run off a bad website and Google Ad words and not through other online sites.This just underscores the importance of organization and clear record keeping in buy and hold real estate.

I would like to know how others have set out about accomplishing this in my area and what tips they may have. 

Since last year I've participated in 5+ auctions- a mix between live and online and been successful at two of them (two liens, one deed).