Yes you need to inspect - walk through on a regular basis.

I currently have property that has had 3 assessments outside of the regular HOA payment in 3 years.

Don't confuse this with a regular back who happens to have a CRE person.  

Track all of your income and expenses in report form that you understand and invite people you trust to review the report regularly and try to cut expenses and increase income.I could say more personal items as well as business matters that might effect you but I'll quit now,  The more you learn, the more confident you will be.  

Provide an easy calendar/shopping cart that syncs with VRBO and Airbnb (Or at least update it regularly).

Especially when you're investing from out of state - you won't know the market well and you won't be able to see the property regularly - you need to know that the people you work with are incentivized (perfect word, @Jeff Wallenius) to do good work. 

After doing a little more research it seems that portfolio lenders are my best bet for my situation at this point.I am new to all this, can anyone tell me how I can find portfolio lenders in my area and how can I distinguish between a regular lender and portfolio?

Either way, a homicide and then apparently a regular death sometime after happened in the house. 

I will also say that, you may want to use your own mailing service because you can't monitor any mailing company that your hired to send out your postcards! 

capital gains vs. self employment/regular income2- Would the income of the sale of the flip be looked at holistically along with the expenses of my other rental properties?