Additionally, consulting with a real estate agent who is knowledgeable in the local market can help you make informed decisions and ensure the success of your investment.

However I have done residential real estate deals in 13 states using various exit strategies and my main advantage for this project is that I own a GC company within range of the property with experience handling large scale projects.

There are a few ways to accomplish this transaction: a real estate broker acting as a transaction coordinator/facilitator (not representing the buyer or seller), a real estate attorney, and/or a title company.I would opt for a licensed broker to handle the contract of sale, and hand it over to the title (or escrow) company. 

If it makes a difference, the DIL could purchase in her name or in her construction company's  LLC name. 

We just bought a condo on the Gulf Coast, and the old management company has said the same snowbirds come to our unit every year from December 15- March 31.

Finally, appreciation is predictable and linear.I always work with my local property manager partner when selecting and analyzing a property with my investors and use them to manage the property after purchase to optimize the ownership and investment experience.To your success!

Encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

You will meet local investors, agents, wholesalers, title companies, etc.

I have never used 1800Accountant, but I have successfully converted their former customers to my practice.They are incredibly expensive, my clients were never sure about what was going on, and they unnecessarily complicated reporting and transaction in order to (in my opinion) make it seem like the clients were getting value for their money.  

I am an " Internal Travel nurse", which means I will be floating from 8 different hospitals owned by the same company.