The most valuable key player will be the PM.

Section 8 can be a headache to deal with even if you have a competent manager.

Large apartment complexes are coming on to compete against.There is a fairly good size group of flippers that drive up the prices, but this too is cyclical.  

If you're competing with cash buyers, that probably means your profit margins are already slim.

Otherwise you could try Level Home Services if you want some competing bids. 

I think that may be the only way to keep game players from writing reviews on themselves, etc.

That's a good starting point and after a few projects with an investor, you will learn enough to become an investor your self.VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: books, video ,seminars will provide you with motivation and tools to make it in the RE game but the best method will always be learning hands on and with someone to guide.I'm in the NYC market which isn't the best place to start learning so I had to learn fast and perfection in order to compete with these top dogs.

I have never once had to evict a single tenant in those 15 years, none the less had it take 5-1/2 years ... some left in the night without paying, and some needed to be talked out (using strictly legal means), but nothing like that and looking back those that did leave were my mistake in screening or the type of property I bought ... most of my tenants stay as good, paying on time, take care of the place like they owned it, professional, responsible, families that they are, they stay for years, I raise rents every year, and when they do leave I have a line of people around the block ready to rent the place so vacancy is minimal ... based on my experience, I think it is highly unlikely to get such a nightmare so long as you buy quality properties (or rehab them into quality), in quality locations, delivered vacant COE, and are competent at screening new tenants.I have nothing against flipping either, BTW ...

You can administer investments, but cannot add value to the plan via providing services or personally receive benefit from the plan.It sounds like you may have qualification for a Solo 401k if you will be earning 1099 income working for the various players you mention.  

If you are still looking for greater understanding of EMD and your buyers agent can't explain all of these auction pitfalls and rules, then you should not be making bids on any property until you have a competent buyers agent guide you in this and outline the risks/rewards.