As a guy who enjoys face to face contact when it comes to business I am tempted to go with the local firms in my new area, however I also have little experience and want to avoid being taken advantage of for my lack of knowledge. 

I figured the usual stuff like the BS meter still works and the 1000 yard stare if someone is trying to take advantage, but anything you found yourself using that’s a carry over?

Great advantages to both parties

Someone who started making money I out of undergrad vs someone that starts making good money ten years later has a huge advantage especially in a tax system like we have, that decade of saving and compounding investments can’t be understated.Add in the desire to pay yourself with treats once you have a 5 figure paycheck and you ain’t got ****. 25 percent of docs at age 60 aren’t worth a million 

If your wife already owns it, what's the advantage to you buying it from her?  

If not, no, not ever, forgetting the 10% costs of swapping properties, you have built in advantages to a neighborhood and property you live near and know already. 

One of the biggest advantages to becoming an agent/investor is the great networking opportunities that you can get from your team both locally and nationally.

And what is the best way to go about making sure that the work is getting done within the time frame that you need, the way that you need/done right the first time, and that you aren’t being taken advantage of?

With listening devices, security devices and cameras present in many homes these days, it's getting more and more common for sellers to surveil their property during showings and open houses.Have you ever said (or done) anything during a showing that would embarrass you, or give the seller an unfair negotiating advantage?

Not really understanding rental properties I thought I was doing the right thing and taking advantage of an opportunity to own rental property.