We want to be able to spend about 2 weeks there a year and rent it out the remaining 50 weeks of the year so we need the property to cash flow as an investment property.Please let me know if you have any properties in mind or can provide any guidance on what we are looking for including a property management firm as we will be managing the property remotely from Ohio.Thanks a lot. 

When first starting out do you need a firm understanding of basic accounting or is general high school math acceptable to run your business.

I have a relatively minor history in real estate, but I interned with Colliers International, the commercial firm, my senior year of college.  

I have a friend who is currently looking for an internship with any large construction or engineering firm in the Atlanta, GA area.

If they try to pay rent, you should refuse it firmly but politely.

Then your concerns about jeopardizing your firm becomes null.

I checked out the house this morning and I even saw an added value because the other neighbor had just installed a really big firm fence that looks good and sturdy right next to the backyard.

That said I think I should stand firm on my original offer, $10k under list.

I agree with Karen, go to a smaller boutique firm if you're not interested in cold-calling, but there's a draw-back.

If you are open to purchasing HUD homes to flip or as rental in the suburbs of Chicago I can introduce you to CEO of RE Firm who is contracted by HUD and sold close to 1400 last year.