However, this would increase my costs by about $4,000 a month (about 3K would be spent on skip tracing).I'm also exploring the idea of wholesaling in other states instead of in Northern Virginia and south part of Maryland.

Perhaps a hidden surveillance system to catch the culprit will be money better spent. 

Having spent the last few days scrolling through the forums looking for areas that fit my price point.

Might be something we can help with...I spent a career doing this.You just cannot build a house like you're describing for that $ SF.

Given your time constraints, you'll want to spend a lot of upfront time figuring this all out, to avoid even more time spent in the future trying to fix a mess if you choose the wrong people to deal with:)PM us if you'd like to discuss more about doing this the right way.

I have spent a lot of time in building court over the years.

Speaking anecdotally only here:when I spent some time in ABQ, I walked away loving the climate and desert mountain scenery, and feeling the a good majority of the city was sketchy. 

Personally, we spent about a year and a half listening to podcasts, reading a bunch of REI books, and talking to experienced investors before we felt the time is right.

Quote from @Wilson Lin: You can also check out hubspot (https://www.hubspot.com).

Money well spent.