Ideally want my first BRRR to be nearby for convenience and logistics.

The primary reason for delay was this process:(a) contact attorney, get him lease and applicable info(b) attorney contact process server, send him demand letter(c) process server schedules and then executes service(d) process server sends paperwork back to attorney(e) court date is made based on attorney's availabilityThe third we did ourselves. 

Having your own tenants that you pick - to me - is much more ideal.

My recommendation would be  to first contact your current lender and explain to them the situation, transparency is ideal and they are obligated to give you ample time to get things resolved.

Read some material online (and we're going to higher CPA later) but seems that mortgage interest can be shown as an expense on Schedule E. 

Farmer's ins is one of the companies I deal with if that helps.

If they are out on the 31st and the place is clean, you've had 2 weeks to market it for rent-not ideal but better than nothing. 

Downside is sharing bathroom with 2 other people and somewhat far from the city - not ideal for networking and social life.2.

They reported their rental income and all expenses on Schedule E, and want to report the sale of the house on Schedule D and Form 8949.

What areas are probably not ideal for a newbie investor?