I would check your house here: public records search.

@Tom GimerThat's great...never heard those terms....I'll have to do a search for those here and on the web...sounds like the right path....thanks so much

Current rents: you can glean this information through online sources as well as old-school searching (walk-ins, calling the buildings)Talk to local brokers to get the inside scoopMarket analysisCheck to see if building is in a flood plainYou can ask for, but these items are usually provided after signing a contract: Leases for lease auditing against bank statements, tax returns and leases (usually not provided before a contract has been signed).Tenant payment historyViolations, delinquenciesLease addendum and/or other agreementsTax ReturnsBank StatementsUtility billsCan RUBS be implemented (some municipalities may not allow it)Service contractsReserve fundsEnvironmental assessmentEmployee recordsStructural issues including foundationEmployee historyOther value-add features that can be added include:Trash valetCar portsStorageDog parksTo be honest, a similar level of due diligence is required across multifamily and manufactured housing (mobile home parks).Best of luck!

Do a search for Subject To, Wraps, Lease Options, Owner Financing, Land Contract.

Question is: If I have identified a property/properties that are good buy and hold investments, should I put an offer in and then ask for a hard money loan, or just show the property and numbers I am interested in to the lender, and then try to get the offer accepted?

Identify a budget for investing that you can sustain for at least 6-12 months to gauge success/failure.6.

Basit Siddiqi, thank you very much for all the valuable advise, im defiantly going to search this site for a new CPA, I don't think the one Im using currently has all the answers that I need.

@Tra'Mell Taylor  @Christopher Blanco I also sent a request your way because insight from a local would be a great help in identifying an area that makes the most sense.

There are other posts specific to Garner on BP, just use the search box. 

I was going to send the contract/agreement to the title company to do a title search.