I'm currently considering Zillow (but not finding much feedback on BP), as it would be a one stop shop for marketing, screening, and rent collection.

It seems like it is a one stop shop and can do everything from screening to payments for tenants.

Then there are smaller breakout groups that meet at rehabs in progress or just a local dive to talk shop. 

On the flip side, if you are wanting to hire experienced agents, they are harder to recruit and usually will be less dependent on the services you offer and more likely to be shopping brokerages based on monthly fees, more competitive commission splits, the opportunity to cap at 100%, fewer or no franchise fees.

I was leaning towards declining the deal even before writing the post but I figured it’d be smart to seek more advice.Regarding the car loans.

I agree with John, as long as you have someone to call for any issue that may arise, then you are good to go.Make sure you have smart devices like locks and thermostats that you can control from your phone.The most important person you will need is a reliable cleaner!! 

Across the street is a shopping and entertainment complex.

You simply have to close your sale before closing your purchase.Your thoughts on only purchasing a couple of properties and then doing a cash out refi is also very smart. 

Even if a cat is only in the house for three months, the damage may be done, so we charge the full year of increase to protect against that.That's smart on the Addendum!

For shops or other uses, also looking at duplexes ( I’m finding it hard to cash flow a new duplex with the cost to build currently ) maybe I’m wrong?