If i am correct on that, how distant does the management company need to be? 

Trying to develop a strategy and team that will help minimize the risk while I am at a distant.

She may have to do distant learning for quite some time.

I'm at a position in my life where I need/want income now, and am not necessarily looking to build a portfolio for the distant future, i.e. retirement. 

It seems that the 30-year loan would give me cash more quickly, which could then be used to accumulate enough for another down payment for another home purchase  in the not-too-distant future as well as to further prove to lenders that my income is substantial and stable enough to be able to pay back a home equity loan.Anyway, hopefully I didn't muddle things up, confuse facts, or not present enough details.  

Note that you can adjust this WACC if you feel that your equity returns need to be adjusted north for distant cash flows due to uncertainty in forecasting them.

Have any of you done any distant networking?

That is #1, collections is a distant 2nd.  

I'll have to look into that 10% down though, that was not available the last time I borrowed from them but they (along with most other lenders) have been slowly loosening up requirements over the past few years as the housing bubble is starting to be a distant memory.I would only use River City if it was a last resort or as @Chuck B. pointed out, time and doc prep are your biggest hurdles.  

I agree with wanting to be as distant from tenants as possible which is why living in and owning a multi family seems to need certain strategies.