I just put out the rent sign yesterday in the window but didn't post anything online because the place wasn't ready yet- I hadn't even decided which vinyl planks to install downstairs and needed to steamclean the carpet upstairs. 

The neighbor's called animal control but apparently the animals are not being mistreated in their opinion. 

This will add competition and I am not an analyst nor an expert in supply/demand but one would think rents in the District and surrounding areas will not have large gains in the upcoming future because of all the rental units coming online in 2015 and 2016.Thoughts?

Is there an online resource for a variety of real estate related documents?

Every day I got emails from him with a couple new houses (or newly priced houses) to browse online.

One way is to see if the County Recorder's or Register of Deeds Office where the property is has an online records search system.

I can highly recommend @Daniel Hyman , CPA and his firm My Online Accountant, LLCI know he and his partner are originally from Houston, and have several clients in Houston.

From reviewing some of the posts online I saw that there is a local REI meetup in Lake Forest this Wednesday evening and I will be attending.  

Surround yourself with as many like minded people as you can be it online and offline.

They dont' need a device if they are going to take only inbound calls, you can just forward the calls to their local cell phone using online vonage tools.