Visit previous job sites?

In particular, I’m interested in advice on:1.Best practices for onboarding new owners and setting clear expectations from day one.2.Effective systems or software recommendations for a solo/startup operation (leasing, maintenance coordination, rent collection, accounting, etc.)3.Strategies for finding and retaining great contractors/vendors.4.Common pitfalls new PMs face in the first 6–12 months.5.Pricing your management services competitively while still being profitable.6.

So I reached out to him and he was glad to help.After some discussions, he offered that he is willing to do the renovation all on cost, and that me and him would determine the extra fee to him for his job.

Once you hire a general contractor, it probably would not be legal for him to just hand a job off to another general contractor.

Should I offer to pay them for their consultation, or are these types of questions common as part of the PM vetting process and is a "courtesy service"?

I have my eye on other spots in Idaho, though prices have kept me away ($200k per 1/2 acre in more common destinations)!

Chances are that you might find a bookkeeper willing to take the job who is NOT a real estate specialist, and the results of their work will be unacceptable for tax preparation anyway.

Quote from @Steve Wilson: I'm getting ready to start investing in the Port Huron market in SE Michigan and had a question about depreciation; I spoke with a CPA who told me that unless I'm a Real Estate Professional, I can only use depreciation to reduce the taxable income from my investment property, whereas Real Estate Professionals can use their real estate income to reduce the taxable income from their W2 job as well.

What investment strategy is most common/best for someone with a remodeling/contracting background?

Keep the common areas, parking lot, dumpster area clean.