Starting with a small multifamily property is a fantastic idea—it gives you a chance to live in one unit while renting out the others, which can help offset your mortgage and build equity faster.

Having a long-term rental while living abroad is do-able.Flipping houses while abroad, in my opinion, more difficult, especially if its your first go around with real estate.I would recommend taking a flight and staying in the area for a week and inspect the neighborhoods and make connections.You can reach out to @Elenis Camargo who has a PM company in Jacksonville.Best of luck though.

The landlord should be named on the tenant's insurance policy for additional protection and to assist with tracking compliance.

After 45 + years as a real estate investor, broker, lender, fund manager and syndicator, I’ve become aware that the “dream” of many investors and investor “hopefuls” is to be able to generate enough cash flow to live off their real estate holdings and accumulate enough wealth to make “work” optional.

Every time I call VRBO CS and ask for listing assistance, a booking follows in the next day or two. 

Everyone has to live somewhere.

I wanted to invest where I wanted to live and I am also from Elgin so am constantly headed further nw. 

Oh I agree with you if that rent will be a business income to live on vs just an unrealized gain.

First: Can you commit to living there for at least two years?

Plus there is a lot to do here so it is hard to be bored living in NJ.