I have found that rather than hire a “professional” property manager, (although I have had great success with just such in one instance, and a very bad experience in another), find someone with experience in property management who desires to build long term equity.  

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I bought the course!

Of course, it will only matter when they try to refinance or sell.3) Understand the owner's EXPECTATIONS!

Hey @Jordan George, as a Torontonian working in the US (currently in Dallas) for the last couple of years I'll echo all the major points already made above.Lending standards and qualifications are tighter back home than in the US so you won't find near the number of financially distressed sellers in Canada (generally speaking) but anyone could be laid off/have a health scare/divorce at any time of course.

5K worth of paint with a professional painter. 1099? 

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

@Kevin Si I agree with @Kory Reynolds - you want to work with a professional who fundamentally understands your business, whatever that is.

Accountants are in such demand, that the best are not even accepting clients half the time.The other problem I see often with accountants on here is that they specialize in larger investors, and have really high prices when you as a smaller investor do not need all the bells and whistles.Another thing I see is folks thinking they need to have a tax professional in their state.

Of course you should safe guard your credit but 5 pulls is equal to 1 pull in a 45 day period.