You want to buy more rentals, so why not use the money to get started on that sooner rather than later? 

No I’m not sure what took you down that road but just as stated they would stay at a property you own that’s for rent maybe that explains it better   This is very confusing, so you would have an empty prop until someone needs a place due to their prop being unlivable.

Trouble is that I don't yet have long-term employment in place (just moved to the area a month ago).

If you just hire the cheapest or first PMC you speak with and it turns into a bad experience, please don’t assume ALL PMC’s are bad and start trashing PMC’s in general.

While there was a verbal understanding that I intended to proceed with the Lease Only Option, no formal agreement was in place.

Desirable houses that I have seen are starting at 650k, but I was wondering if there are other sources to look instead of online postings. 

We had a squatter break into a home we had just rented but lease hadn't started yet, they let themselves in through the doggy door.

I am new to this forum and looking to get educated to help me figure out where I want to start.

Let me know I sure we can figure out a place and time .

I would also say review everything they do and set up this way you can start learning how it is done and what is required so you can do it yourself in the future if that's the route that you are wanting to take.