Can you find out who did the work, and if they are licensed contractors with solid reputations? 

Looking to see if anyone has any lawn and snow removal referrals in Racine, WI I have contacted 6 different companies with 3 of which never responded and the other 3 I have been waiting days now to send me their quote/estimate they promised me several days ago I don't have time to chase them down looking to see if anyone can help me or know anyone reputable for lawn maintenance and snow removal.

I found a company that seems to have a good rate, reputation, etc. but as I'm about to pull the trigger I'm catching myself second guessing.

If you know of reputable wholesalers or agents certainly I'd be open.   

On your primary residence, your best best is a HELOC from a reputable bank.

A company that is responsive, experienced with a good reputation. 

You can take the lions share and just hire a reputable local management company to oversee everything. 

Trusting a reputable person that will not screw me over is the biggest holdup.

That's because I know I won't get a bad tenant because I will screen them and get good people and I can trust a reputable property manager to screen them if I ever needed to move. 

A motivated selelr CAN have a distressed home... but that doesn't mean that a distressed home means you increase the likelyhood of dealing with a distressed seller.To start you need to a website, make it credible, know your Sh^#, build an internet presence, build a reputation by focusing on giving value to your ideal audience.