I personally prefer regional/local mutual companies as opposed to the large corporate insurance companies.

Im currently on a mission to find myself a great real estate agent (preferably one who is an investor themselves), a great property manager, a great lawyer, and CPA.

If they would stay the same i probably would prefer to rent it out as is and if it turns out to be a "good thing" for us i could refinance it and take some of that money as a downpayment for a second rental.

Prefer someone that’s experienced and actively investing themselves.

The other thing you could do, take a look at all the advertising you can for buying houses cash, Radio Ads, TV Ads, bandit sign in a community "we buy houses cash" and start calling these numbers and see how to get on their list as a buyer. 

Did they prefer verbal contracts or have everything in writing?

If we are heading into winter I prefer to do like a one and half year lease to line up the end of the lease with the warmer months.

I self manage my properties, and that's my preferred method.

Do you have any preferred neighborhoods or price points?

Let them know you are an investor, and the way you prefer to buy is with the seller being the bank.I wouldn't even mention interest at first.