Is there any experience or insight from others who have dealt with a similar situation of managing a fire-damaged rental property from a distance?

I'm analyzing a triplex walking distance to a University I'm familiar with.

Use the acronym F.L.I.B and seek deals with Flippers, Long distance Landlords, Investors and Builders!

I'm from Northern NJ but I'm also looking to invest from a distance in OH too.

I will need to do research and due diligence to see if this long distance STR model makes sense for me!

We're apprehensive about current rates and the cost in SoCal, but would rather do something local before dipping our toe in long distance investments in other areas of the country where we have lived or have family.

This article about your Core 4 members to long distance real estate investing will be a good read. to All the best!

My advice would be to purchase and read the BP book "Long-distance Investing" and start there.

if you're ultimately looking to having a long distance rental property, and you find a deal where the numbers will work well as a rental one day in that city, you should do it!

Smart buyers understand the value of a Buyer's agent and it certainly is not just to open doors.  95% of my clients are out of state investors purchasing in a market that they do not know nor live in, they count on me to walk the property, access repairs, provide comps and short term rental numbers, arrange and be present for inspections, as well as my ability to assist them getting their short term rental set up for them long distance.