It may sound nice to pay a 5% management fee but the extra fees can add up to be more than the other company that charges 10% with no add-on fees.

I’d try to re-rent it as soon as possible.Next question for you is: if your original contract supports your claim (but be sure that it does), and you still have the security deposit, “charge” against that.

your best bet is check with a lawyer or a company that specializes in that...honestly im not sure if its a like or kind assets since your going from residential to commercial

If you want to invest in that area Lincolnton would be a better bet because of the new Hwy 16, lower taxes, better schools, and not far from the West side of Lake Norman. 

I'd expect that the excess mileage charges would be a killer.I think next time I'd so something like a Jeep or a Honda SUV. 

We figure we will be able to charge $900/month per side ($1800 total) but also do not know the first thing about becoming a landlord or where to find tenants.

Go to the ones with the most reviews and see how booked up they are and what prices they are charging. 

I manage my properties, I carefully vet each tenant, I stay on top of maintenance and make sure my apartments are nicer than anything else nearby so I can charge top of market rents.

The landlord has been charging  approximately a much lower rent than that of comparable properties in the area.

I don't see too many Fsbo signs in the tri-state area which leads to me safely assume that most people  are covering their mortgage with the outrages rent that they charge.