We are currently uses a system that checks credit, to me one of the most important aspects in terms of finding reliable tenants.

Because I have an older building, it took more time but once you are in the system you are ok.

or is this information available on line through the county GIS systems.? 

I thought 500 mailings was decent but looking at what others are doing it seems as if many have automated their systems.

We do have a system of processing tenants and follow it.  

We called around to commercial brokers to find out what properties had done a RUBS system they knew of.

We do use a property manager for some that are too far right now for us to deal with, but they take almost as much time and effort as the ones that I self-manage, so I'll take those over when I have the time to build the proper systems there and have time to screen the tenants myself.If I found secure investments that could substitute for the income from our rentals without the hassle of dealing with tenants, I would consider it, but it's difficult in this low-rate environment.  

I've been using a very personalized mailing system that has been super effective.

Originally posted by @Matt R.

In the past I have gone to H&R Block (rip off) or used turbotax for my taxes, but this year I bought my first investment property and do not really know where to start with my taxes.