Years ago I had a tenant sign a lease but ask if he could hold off paying the security deposit/rent until the 1st of the month when he formally moved down here (he was visiting his daughter at the time) and received his disability check.This guy was an older, 100 percent service connected veteran.  

Hi Joe,But then again there are those that do manage across the great East / West divide ;).I have been working with a PM for the past two years and quite happy with their services.

Craigslist(Search)Look through the "Real Estate Services" section for cash buyers.   

I know it has been called a little/ no money down investement route but I believe that is more to do with marketting costs.The gurus have explained the steps in details such as qualify a TB, but in order to do so don't I have to go a mortgage broker and ask them to carry out the required checks..surely that carries a cost..I would like to understand from someone who has experience the followingwhich professionals need to carry out each stage for both the TB and the seller documentswhat are the ball park prices I need to expect for these services. 

You need to service them spring and fall, including filling or draining the pans, cleaning the pans and vents, replacing the pads, ideally every season, and lubing the fan and the motor.

My gut tells it's contraction instead of expansion but is that balanced but not carrying any debt service?  

Is the manager paying a monthly check and then he gets paid for his services?

@Gerard Connolly-  First of all... thank you so much for your service to this country!

., there's no fee for the property management service)?

Closing costs came in at 14% instead of the 5% I budgeted for and I'm going to have to put up cash I reserved for "pretty things" and cosmetic improvements to cover closing costs instead.I'm trying to figure out if I can finance some closing costs on a 203K loan since my lender wouldn't let me do a "lender credit" and take a higher interest rate on a 203K.