Whenever you are buying a property out of state you should do a few things to ensure it's as smooth as possible.

If it is empty my suggestion is to start making your rehab list and arrange it in the order that makes the best since for a smooth process.

@Andrew KerrThanks for the reply and yes that is true I have heard lots of horror stories, and I was believing that once you got pass the whole hurdle of paper work and inspections then the rest will be smooth

I think things move quicker and more smooth AFTER the negotiations when you have an agent. 

@Randy BattersonYour PM company should be checking on each property no less than monthly (weekly for apartment buildings) when everything is sailing smoothly.  

They look so nice beside the rough finish but I have done it in many projects..the only problem is cleaning abit and have to shave to make smooth in the areas where you put the outlet covers.* 4x4" tumbled travertine around 3.5-4$ per sf* 6"×24" leadger panels around $5-6.5 per panel (sf)Both i think usually less expensive than the mosaic sheets unless you got a deal on them that different story 😉Good LuckNote: pictues are taken from my projects !!!

The following is the way our negotiation went, notice I'm not a very smooth negotiator!

I hope that it goes smoothly, as it is out of our control for now.

Am I punishing this seller for running his business smoothly? 

If you follow all of the writers stuff, you'l find a ton of information. https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/10/21/lead-magnets-the-secret-way-to-build-an-awesome-email-list/