I think this inability for buyers to come up with liquidity for down payment plus agent commission will be a near-term issue, not a long-term one.

I'm excited to start my journey, but would like to do so in a relatively unfamiliar market with limited existing connections.

Are there any specific regions or neighborhoods where you're experiencing favorable rent rates relative to property acquisition costs?

They will place them with minimal screening and they cause lots of maintenance issues and do not pay rent in time.

When it comes to electric and gas is that heat related?

I think you need at least $10,000 in reserves, or bare minimum at least enough to cover a month and a half of rent, utilities, and any unforeseen maintenance issues per property.

One major caveat is the real possibility of being put out of your own home if you ever get into a domestic issue with a tenant - I know people who have ended up having to rent a hotel room while they got something worked through the court and their tenant lived in their home, because once you rent to them it becomes "their home". 

An if they don't meet that or whatever other guidelines you put in place up front, then there should not be any issue denying applications, and maybe they don't even apply.Personally I would not make up conditions as you go.....have to treat everyone fairly.

The majority of investors face these issues when hiring contractors.

Timing of the sale of each might be an issue, it's a complicated strategy you will want to think through and plan for before you list either property.