I work in tech and she just started a new job here for the state. 

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

it is the most powerful way to get started in investing, period, full stop.hope this helps

Let them do the follow up and paperwork and maybe lead cleanup, but you do the dialing and talking yourself for much better results.

There are towns that are not too far where there could be some options for you, but I would start going to real estate investor meetups and pair that with books and podcasts.

So - somewhere 2 hours away, or somewhere you like to vacation in, or where all your family lives, or where you plan to move someday.Too many people are trying to do exactly what you're doing - pick a market based on a formula - and they end up buying a random 'cheap' property thousands of miles away, turn it over to people they've never met or even spoken to, and then... lose money.  

Thats why i wake up each day excited about working rentals here.

Other Strategies: Are there safer or more profitable alternatives I should consider? 

I would find out who the manufacturer is and send it to them and confirm they will provide a warranty on this.

Venecia, I totally get it—there's so much content out there that it can feel overwhelming, and taking that first step can be really daunting.What I’d encourage you to do is really sit down and think: what's holding you back?