I don't want this to sound like a plug but for our rentals we have been using the bigger pockets screener and have been very happy with it so far.  

I like to start with a good old fashioned google search, you can plug in the name of the business you're looking at and see if anything negative or positive comes up, there are also scam and forum websites where you can make sure there isn't anything alarming.  

I'm in Chico and doing business mainly around Butte County.

The contractor that was going to install it, said I don't need a permit, because he was going to plug them into the wall outlets in each room.

Every property has a price - or as we say in the business, there's a butt for every seat. 

I hope Zillow kick's AZ's butt on this one.SeanSean Brown, NARREIACEO/FounderThe National Association of Residential Real Estate Investment Advisors

I know plenty of wholesalers that didn't know their butt from a hole in the ground, so it cant be that bird dogging is required for the experience or something.

., https://www.amazon.com/Archiol...for kitchens where I light it up like a surgery: I use 4-5 4" ultra thin integrated led "cans" where no j-box is needed; You can just reach up in the ceiling and plug in a new light if you do get a bad one (I have not yet).

If you solve both of those and plug different rates in for the lump sum and monthly payment so that the future value of both are the same you find an interesting thing.

I'd highly recommend getting plugged in the local real estate investment community.Soak up the wisdom and offer to help.