My wife left the business about 10 years ago ( she handled the management side. ) We had bank loans on our homes. 

@John Fleming I don't know any realtors/brokers in NOLA, but I do have connections with several of the professional short-term rental managers down there if you're looking for someone to handle the airbnb/turn-key aspect of it.

Also I plan on becoming an agent in the future because when I get a handle on flipping, I can keep that commission instead of paying that realtor I would need to hire to sell that flip, so it makes sense in the long run. 

Rishel Consulting Group has a team of auditors nationwide already in place that works with seller financiers in their compliance requirements, and can also handle the new audit requirements for non-lenders who see the value of a third party audit.

@Amanda GrooverAs far as consolidating debt, that would depend on the interest rate you are paying for each major bill.If you consolidate then you may end up with 1 large bill with a higher interest than the smaller bills individually.You also forgo the ability to negotiate each bill to your advantage.Flexibility may be to your advantage right now.Analyze and talk to each creditor to determine what you can work out to your advantage.As far as purchasing your first rental, it sounds like you are stressing over current and past bills.That will increase with a rental property.How much stress can you handle?

All of this is contingent on the current contract on their house closing as planned.I am unsure how to best handle this.  

She shows properties, checks up on them, handles tenant issues, and escorts contractors, inspectors, etc.  

Fortunately I have a partner that lives in the area with skills that will be able to handle the management of the property.Some of the pros of the area are seat of government, hospital, many good colleges and affordable properties.

We have our own in-house painting crew who handle those areas.

In the past my spouse went out for a few weeks and handled everything in person.