You should look up the home to ensure that it wasn't recently sold.  

In time, I will shift over to wrapping my commissions into the deal rather than taking them at closing, but this keeps my income and sales volume simple to track as I work to grow both.My concerns:-I want to ensure the protection of my partner's capital both when liquid in a bank account as well as when deployed on a property.

But it is important to establish yourself in one area before diving into others to ensure that you are as focused as possible on generating great returns on that specific strategy. 

You could make that stipulation as well, to ensure it is done the right way.

To ensure I understand them all they are1. 

I’ve used leverage to acquire a number of properties and I ensure they all at least break even after expenses and mortgage.

I have been reading rental management books and they say to have a book with policies and procedures to ensure you operate your investment as a business.

This ensures I have a steady flow of income from investments, I will have gained knowledge for future transactions, and of course, two years later I wouldnt tell myself "I should've invested out of state."

Also, something to keep in mind is that each company have limits to the number of units they are willing to ensure. 

I am in the process of renting my house and would like to do all the due diligence to ensure minimal property damage.