My realtor seemed a little miffed, but I have 17 days to get the appraisal done before closing and my MLO is confident we can get it done in time

If you're serious & confident you can lease your properties up in time, you may want to consider putting significant rent money and EMD up front.Feel free to shoot me a pm or give me a buzz at contact info in bio - always down for a chat!

It may be time-consuming, but if you do your research and confirm there are no challenges, you can proceed confidently.

Personally I’ve stuck with SFH to avoid tenant on tenant conflict but thsi will let you find out if “the juice is worth the squeeze: with very little risk. 1) I assume you’re getting a least a few percent off for not involving a realtor.2) I assume you feel confident with the value (maybe ask a local banker what they would lend you on the property and even lay for an appraisal.)3) this is all assuming that this is a small investment to you as I’ve described above, not most of your savings and all of your operating cushion. 

And if you can’t develop potential revenue numbers with some level of confidence, you are taking a big risk (or leap of faith) in buying any property.

In my honest opinion if you aren't confident enough in your knowledge, network, and abilities to make the decision to self manage an easy one, then hire it out to a pro.

Partially by circumstance, albeit those that I created, I will confidently say that I am the amongst the very few local Real Estate Professionals that are as intimately familiar with the rules, regulations and requirements to reliably invest in a permittable vacation rental property ANYWHERE on the Oregon AND California Coast's. 

I'm confident in my ability to turn over tenants and deal with issues.

I also know of no legal requirement to work with someone that is abusive.I wouldn't spend any money on an attorney, but that's because I'm confident in my skills.

The Alabama Secretary of State has an online list of registered agent services.You will also need a business license in the community where the rental property is located.Do not be so confident you are truly anonymous.