If I could find a good agent for tenant turn I think I would be set, and I like it better being the one in control...

I'd recommend reaching out to lenders on BP (see find a lender tab) as well as asking for recommendations from your real estate agent.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

We did not need help in deciding what our investment niche would be; we needed help in creating and implementing a tax strategy plan for a married couple composed of a high-income earner and a real estate agent and business owner.A few weeks after paying the $25k, we set up our first meeting with our assigned CPA and started the so-called “advanced tax courses” provided, which are generic modules that only vaguely introduce financial concepts, topics, and terminology.

It was "not a lucrative investment" according to another agent

I'm an investor and agent, also here in Miami.

Do your research, pick a strategy that feels comfortable, find an agent that knows that strategy, look at some homes, run some numbers and then buy. 

 $500 does not seem unbelievable, but if he is his own insurance agent, he may have gotten a favor done on his own policy.

- How do I lower the expectations of the owners children (they are adults) after the previous agent listed it at Zillow's full estimated price - despite the fact that nothing has been done to the house since their father/the widows husband died some years back.

Have a witness with you (non relative).You can use a Skip Trace Agent (aka Collection Agency) to locate your "asset" (tenant).