I, of course, will do more research outside of this, but am hoping for some personal knowledge of the area.

I personally, don't think real estate is the smartest place to invest for MOST people right now, at least financially.  

What would YOU do if your PMC used an unlicensed and/or uninsured vendor and they caused a personal injury situation with a tenant that led a tenant to sue you?

It's more helpful to see the properties in person to get cap-ex, vacancy rates, etc.

You can specify blackout dates when the property is not available for rent if you wish to use it personally during certain times of the year.Legal and Regulatory Compliance: The management firm will ensure that the property complies with local laws and regulations concerning rental properties, including obtaining any necessary permits and adhering to zoning laws.Maintenance and Repairs: Property management firms often take care of routine maintenance and emergency repairs, ensuring the property is well-maintained and ready for tenants or guests.This arrangement allows you to enjoy your second home for part of the year and generate rental income when you're not using it, with minimal effort on your part.

If an LLC, we look up LLC ownership to see if a person or their legal agent. 

It means an extra call/text for whoever is giving notice or letting the person in, but it will make sure it doesn't happen again.

Other option, be a person of solution on where they are going next, help them find a place rental etc., or get them lined up with a residence in and pay for it for the first month. 

@Bruce Woodruff: Sounds like a personal problem.

I once got a VERY VERY angry emailed response from someone who accused me of trying to scare people into listing their homes because what I was saying wasn't true.