I'm really interested in getting started in property investment, but I'm struggling to feel confident in knowing where to start. 

And get back

This is how we protect people from getting taken advantage of on this site.

Will get us a good bump in rents and added mini splits HVAC and removed the old in wall heaters that weren't very efficient. 

@Gp G.Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

How difficult would it be to get an invester friendly construction loan to build on a property where I live and have mortgage.

I have every empathy for folks who are hurting especially from instances that are from outside of their control, but filing bankruptcy to get out of debt that she chose to sign up for and promise to pay for the sole purpose of getting ahead faster (her story, not mine) seems less than ethical and Bigger Pockets promoting it is questionable.

Any thoughts on tenant screening, and what I could be doing to make sure I get good longterm tenants ?

Don't get excited don't get eager, there is no such thing as the magic program!

Daily Mail is about as junk as it gets.