I would choose a target neighborhood in my area to invest in, and I would learn the area frontways and backways, walking the streets, taking notes, printing up a big map and making notes on it, visiting the shops and stores, eating at the restaurants, learning my way around the municipal building of the place.

After I close on my commercial auto shops in Oct, I’ll be investigating this deeper.

They are actually starting to revitalize the down town with shops and everything.

Anything like late  rent goes through me.I personally feel every LL needs to have a crap bag tenant at least once just to teach them a big lesson.

If they respond negatively you might have to evict, but they might just pack their bags. 

Shopping multiple lenders and/or multiple types of banks is probably good advice for you.

You give up 90 - 95% of potential buyers.Since commission is typically paid for by seller, the buyer is receiving access to 95% of the marker, broker expertise and advise, and ease of shopping for a house for free.

BUT...definitely shop around. 

I will start agent shopping then house shopping.

So, shop around I luckily found a decent attorney for no money the only time she gets paid if I close no matter how much paper work she does.