Years ago I had a tenant sign a lease but ask if he could hold off paying the security deposit/rent until the 1st of the month when he formally moved down here (he was visiting his daughter at the time) and received his disability check.This guy was an older, 100 percent service connected veteran.  

Hi Joe,But then again there are those that do manage across the great East / West divide ;).I have been working with a PM for the past two years and quite happy with their services.

Craigslist(Search)Look through the "Real Estate Services" section for cash buyers.   

I know it has been called a little/ no money down investement route but I believe that is more to do with marketting costs.The gurus have explained the steps in details such as qualify a TB, but in order to do so don't I have to go a mortgage broker and ask them to carry out the required checks..surely that carries a cost..I would like to understand from someone who has experience the followingwhich professionals need to carry out each stage for both the TB and the seller documentswhat are the ball park prices I need to expect for these services. 

I know Bayview and Carrington will do a lot of maintenance.

I agree with the other comments, that a higher end tenant will probably want the a/c, lower end the swamp cooler.The swamp coolers are definitely cheaper to run, but since I don't pay utilities, I am more concerned about the maintenance time and costs.  

My gut tells it's contraction instead of expansion but is that balanced but not carrying any debt service?  

Is the manager paying a monthly check and then he gets paid for his services?

@Gerard Connolly-  First of all... thank you so much for your service to this country!

., there's no fee for the property management service)?