As far as getting best rents, I've seen professional photos make a huge difference and depending on your local market placing it all the typical property sites like Zillow, Trulia, etc.

That's always a good place to look for contractors/vendors/engineers, etc. in KC: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bridgerealestatemeetup/

I would think vendors would be hard to come by?

If it's a commercial lender or portfolio lender or small local bank they may not care where it comes from.  

I started local because I was more hands-on and wanted to experience the process.

Take a class on Financial Planning at a local Junior College. 

Despite mortgage rates being double what they were two years ago, the overall borrowing environment remains favorable for state and local entities.Key initiatives driving this surge include efforts by entities like the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, which recently launched a $425 million bond sale aimed at providing affordable mortgages to over 2,700 families.

@Tim SwierczekThis must be local to you.

@Andy Ciordia.....its just as easy as "Hey do you offer any discounts since I have multiple properties that need work"As a person who does work in the Home Services Industry, it costs the vendor the same amount of time (most likely money too) do the work whether its 1 or 2 properties.

Not only is the new owner taking subject to local law, but taking subject to means current owners cannot conduct sham sales in order to evade tenant protections.