And I earnestly would like to know what tools, out of all the garden variety of choices, are the most efficient to setup and scale my real estate business for the optimal performance.

Multiple Google searches on a variety of real estate related topics that all ended at BiggerPockets.

I used to be with Plum Tree and went to Keller Williams for a variety of reasons, including the above, but also because their website pushed all leads to the broker who kept them for himself.  

Its a great place to start gaining knowledge about REIPlease take a look at the http://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/http://www.biggerpockets.com/posdcasts/http://www.biggerpockets.com/forumsYou will get tons and tons of information on variety of topics here on BP.Please feel free to reach out.

There are many neighborhoods that have offer are variety of returns.

Richmond is a great market, there is a wide variety to look at depending on what area of Richmond interests you. 

Aloha,If his AC is separate from yours, and depending on exactly what type of AC, there are a variety of ways to set up an occupancy sensor to cut off after a specified amount of time.

There's a good variety.

Personally, I want to know everyone who is living in my property.I would plan for additional inspections throughout the year and depending on a variety of factors I may consider non-renewal of the lease or perhaps a larger rent increase at renewal time.Sometimes it's as simple as the tenant not realizing they needed to tell you about the in-laws that were also going to be living there but other times it can be savvy tenants sneaking in friends that otherwise would not qualify by way of the application process or as others above point out, subletting or eventual squatters.

Even then, prospects will sometimes change their mind for a variety of reasons.