Meg Schlesman ,In my opinion there is nothing wrong in getting additional education/certifications, but I think having reliable partners (home inspector, appraiser, agent) working with me is way more efficient than trying to do everything on my own.

Owning a piece of rental real estate is like owning a small business, with income and expenses...people are just willing pay high multiples for it (i.e. your 5% cap rate, which is 20x earnings) because it is tangible and has been predictable over long periods.Regarding market efficiency, the real estate market inefficient. 

These costs are reduced with efficient managements, and economies of scale.

What you are looking for is someone who is knowledgeable, trustworthy, efficient, and an excellent communicator.

Different institutions will have a different process, but hopefully you are working with a good financial partner in your bank/lender that has shepherded you and the deal through the process efficiently and honestly.  

I see so many avenues to REI but want to pick the path that can get me to my goals most efficiently.3. hopefully fast track my networking, as this is an area that I am probably weak in, I am not the one to start conversations in a group of people.I am looking at it from the perspective that it is more effective and efficient to learn a new skill with coaching/mentoring than to learn through trial and error.

We've found some great potential areas and properties (none listed for sale), but are wondering if anyone has any ideas on an efficient process of organizing our contact information as we are looking to send out mailers and make phone calls. 

For collecting rent purposes, do I start a separate business account for the LLC and put rent into the account and then pay myself like that or is there a better way or more tax efficient way?

I always disliked the per unit calculation as it did not take into consideration how efficiently the property is being run, the effect of deferred maint, satisfaction of the tenants, or desirability of the property. 

Most low income people are verbal rather than comfortable with the written word.To be the most efficient, use snail mail.