PRIOR to background  and credit, I just search the local county online records and make calls to past landlords and employer.

During the seminar, they mentioned that we shouldn't go online because there are sites that would put down the paid mentors. 

No major problems that i know of have not had an inspection yet.

Obviously Charlotte is the major metro but to your point it’s hyper competitive.

The property I was going to flip does need more than just a roof but the roof was the only major expense I could see without the inspection.

You can also check their reviews online at Google, Facebook, or Yelp.

Secondly we are about to move, and I'm considering a house that would need a more major rehab than we have ever undertaken in the normal course of life.

The house needs some major cosmetic rehabbing--and seemingly more than most of the surrounding neighbors, so who knows about the unseen. 

Besides lost rent, you got to re-paint, re-carpet sometimes, and major fix-up if the tenant is a slob.

Not just on the property to cover damage, but interruption if business use insurance also, so you keep getting rental income paid by the insurance company until your property is back online.