Do complete backgrounds checks. 

I was turned down for one because I let them do a background check on me.

I come from a commercial construction background and 5% is the normal fee for architects for commercial work so I imagine residential is similar in fees.As @Chad Conrad pointed out, you need to have a designer that is aware of codes.  

I am new to the business, 36, engineering is my background.

Cincinnati and a service background will both suit you well in real estate investing.

He has a very firm understanding and background of the real estate market here in south Florida.  

I want to know about extended guests so we can run a background check on them and add them to the lease, or if it is a sublet I want to do a background check and get written consent from the others in the apartment.This is over and done with, as far as you are concerned.  

I will give you more background information then!

Of those, 4 have submitted applications, and all are viable applicants (based on income, criminal background checks and credit checks - I'll be calling employers and landlords today).My question now is, since a couple of the applicants live 2 hours away (transferring for work), they won't be able to sign a lease immediately. 

BP has their own landing page on the site as well:https://biggerpockets.mysmartmove.com/#I used to do the data collection and data entry for the background/criminal/credit check myself.