My personal opinion is that a condo would be less "hands on" for the owner with keeping everything up to code which would then enable you to really focus screening tenants and on getting your systems in place.  

It is a Section 8 tenant so should be an interesting experience for a first unit but I'm confident in the screen process that USREEB did.

They did say it was common to have the search return hits from multiple people for folks with very common names but did not have any advice on how to validate if the person you are screening was the individual involved.Is there another tool to search criminal history that uses more specific inputs like driver license number, social security number etc.?

See the attached pictures - one shows the screen where you will find the "Edit Facts" button and the other shows the screen where you actually edit the stats.

If there is any way to frame out the door to make it a regular height now is the time to do it, you won't regret it and I know it's a duplex so you'd have to probably match the entries.. but this size door is awful to order,, and a storm / screen door is just as costly.Stay informed with the local police safe officer and find out if other type incidents are happening in your area, the lighting, extra locks, new door are super but if someone wants in they will get in.With all the shiny new stuff empty boxes,, in trash of new TV's etc are calling card for burglars.. cut boxes down. 

Then they handle the posting, the calendar, the screening, the turnover....everything, and you pay them a % of the rental rate. 

My suggestion would be to send an email (or even questionnaire) with pre-screening questions, and once they pass that, give them a call.

Put the Hide link at the bottom of the entry box so its always there.....2) Could someone please revamp the inbox screen?

Do not be in a hurry to rent it out again.There are websites you can find to do background checks...management companies will also screen tenants for you for a fee, if you don't want to bring in the management company full time.Be patient, get a good tenant in.Take deep breaths.Once the place is functional again take a good hard look at the goals you have for yourself...decide if you want to stick with landlording, or if you want to get out of it.

If you are simply contracting a GC, then your value add is considerably less.Once the property goes into service, if you are going to be the PM - find, screen, place, & manage tenants -  then 10% of effective gross revenue would be fair on a single small property.