I prefer VA's in this hemisphere so time zones line up better.

Cincinnati (maybe Northern Ky too) I think should fit your preferences well.

Do you prefer to have an open "application period" to collect applications and then make a decision based on the "most qualified" or do you take the first qualified, even if on a personal level they put off some red flags.

I haven't regretted it since.I personally prefer LTRs because there are less moving parts involved, which makes it an easier business to scale.If you’re looking to invest long distance, it's very important to establish a solid foundation by building a quality team around you.

During this, we've made some friends with folks who, rather than allow us to rent their unit, would prefer that we manage their property for a fee.

However, some investors don't mind this strategy if they prefer not to put a lot of liquid in up front and plan to refi out within a few years of closing (which seems to be a great option with the talks of the FED reducing interest rates into 2025).It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you.

We used to prefer AB&B because they are the most popular and inexpensive but they are also the most guest friendly.

Would you say there is a trade off of going wide vs going deep or is it just a matter of personal preference?

I would only move forward if I preferred the ceiling fan permanently...and I would have my contractor install it and then I would bill back the resident (have the resident confirm the installation cost in advance). 

Many contractors prefer to specialize in certain areas, have limited resources, and will charge more because they don't want the job.