These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.

I have found the training to be a simple and practical paint by numbers course that anyone dedicated can work through.

Regarding Rentaus, I have been down that road and yes their training is an investment, but so is any part of advancing yourself in this business.

The way this property is currently being rented is by the room to college students and based on the owners notes, he is paying for "lawn/pest control/insurance/utilities/cable-internet", a management company might might handle the lawn/pest control, but I left the expenses in because I have a feeling paying for utilities and cable is part of the lease the owner has with the tenants, and I would pick up insurance myself as well.

Without knowing much more, I think you're over leveraged and jumped on the all debt no equity train too quickly.

What do you guys think would be the best training program for a newbie?

If you own a property in the future you will probably laugh at yourself for bickering over $40 once you realize how expensive it is to keep up a property and make sure it stays in nice condition for tenants who will stab you in the back on the internet over $40.

SCAM SCAM SCAM   this is not private money private money are people you know.. not a company or someone off the internet..

But the good news is that there are lots of PMs in coastal areas with internet listings.

If it’s a refi try bank of internet with a Costco membership.