However, we also want to make sure we start off strong with a seasoned PM and then possibly take over in a year (but reviews may not transfer?).  

@John Hidalgo  also since your title is about vacancy keep in mind if you rent the unit as one there tends to be a season that students look for rentals in.

Those should only be considered by seasoned investors who know what they are doing.

I would be very interested in just getting to meet some investors that are quite a bit more seasoned than me and have experience and advice for what is to come and what they have gone through.

BiggerPockets is full of resources designed to help you along your journey, whether you are just getting started or a seasoned investor.

However, I've also seen feedback that eXp is best for seasoned agents (which I am not), and new agents may not get the support they need, unless they have a good sponsor.Any feedback or insights on selecting a brokerage from part-time agents would be extremely appreciated.

The high season highs aren't nearly as high, but the income is steady and reliable, and you also have more exit/pivot options. 

The only rule that has changed in the last 18 months is the seasoning requirement, which is a lending name for waiting period, to be able to use an improved value to pull cash out has gone from 6 to 12 months.

About meI am a seasoned acquisitions manager for a wholesale/rehab company in Virginia with over 60 successful contracts just this year with an average profit of over $44k.

Or for the more seasoned investors, how do you go about evaluating neighborhoods while out of state?