I would start by reaching out to independent contractors or maintenance repair companies—completely separate from your PM first before leaning towards selling.

However, if you're leaning towards owning properties across different states, I'd recommend choosing a state known for being investor-friendly.

Pros and cons to each.Sounds like you are leaning towards the "effort" approach.Attend a local meetup in New Jersey.

One thing that I have quickly learned is to find/lean towards properties that can be good long-term rentals as well.  

I could use some expert advise and any help to lean me in the right direction. 

Make it clear and SUPER easy for your audience/partners to take action; remove all barriers for them to step forward and lean in.

You bring up a great point though, we don't want to get consumed by PM stuff, just lean enough about it to one day know how to get a good one. 

For the AC dilemma, I'd lean towards split.

Two comments, One is that nothing just shows up with a large body of law behind it.

Right now i have leaned into the STR/MTR strategy for immediate cashflow, buying homes in awesome locations  and allowing the year of year rent increases to allow for those to be moved to a long term rental later.