I'm also planning to do some yellow letters but was thinking about using a more professional, detailed, and honest letter than the standard suggested format. 

Can the maintenance man enter using a current key as long as I send an email to the tenant giving notice he will enter and he knocks before entering?

The lower the tax value the lower the property taxes should be the only consideration I believe you are using a property tax service that charges you a percentage of the savings?  

Using a LLC does indicate a business transaction but the borrowing  entity will have to stand in as a personal gurantee on the transaction.

Another option is to go the more traditional route using a real estate agent and searching for a fixer upper with upside pore too that is in good enough condition to qualify for traditional financing.

Is the most typical way of re-sale done using a quit-claim deed? 

You can depreciate the rental side using a standard 27.5 yr. depreciation schedule, obviously subtracting the land value, which you can find on the county auditor site.

I didn't have a hack saw so I ended up using a circular saw to cut the pipe.  

Sure QB can do some of the items, but it is sort of like using a trumpet shaped bazooka to kill an ant.

I know a lot of people are against using a property management company and long distance investing.