Managing new duplex out of state Need advice

[Troy Roberts]

My wife and I are about to close on a duplex in Kansa City MO. We live in North Seattle metro and wanting to get advice on how to Market and show units as a long distance investor. My wife has 9 years of property management experience but has never done it remotely. So we are seeking advice how to coordinate with agent/service rep to show our property and do necessary work for getting qualified tenant into our duplex we are buying. 

We want to manage property ourselves until we have a couple more properties in the area to compensate for PM to take over. 

We would love to hear what others have done to make this process successful.

[Zachary Ware]

I would recommend having some good contacts on the ground. For myself, I spoke with a handyman prior and let them know my situation. They know I am out of state and I typically do all of my repairs through them. They even take a look around the property for me when they go in for a repair. For showing the property, I would contact a RE agent in the area and inquire about a flat fee for each showing or possibly a % of the first month's rent for showings until it is leased.