I live in an area that was the 39th most populous in 2013 and only continues to grow due to a strong local military presence (active duty myself).  

Ask the realtor for the past 2-3 years of operational finances  ... s/he will either try to intimidate you away from wanting/needing them - in which case, walk away - or will provide you with a set of rosy, half-fabricated numbers {accept these with scepticism ... if you get in the territory of a deal, you will ask for corroborating information from his/her accountant or tax returns}.Once you have the financial data, take a run at analysing it, then bring it here for folks to review and assist you with coaxing the {likely} truth from the numbers.

It comes with the territory when you are telling people "no".  

Even if you go Turnkey, interview at least 3 management companies.Lastly, you should take a look at Little Rock, I have expanded my portfolio over there, cash flow is excellent, probably a little better then Memphis as property taxes are lower and lack of hedge fund presence has kept housing prices low.

If so, is it worth potentially losing that on-property presence?

I'm inclined to agree with my friends and family, but like I said this is new territory, so I thought I'd check with you to see what you thought.

Then invite him back with police presence to get his crap

I had deeds and authorizations from the borrowers, but it's possible HSBC stepped into liability territory by negotiating and accepting a payoff from a successor-in-interest (me).

Do a google (or bigger pockets) search in your area to find who has the best web presence(s) and then reach out to those people.

I don't think we have either a significant presence of foreign cash or hedge funds here yet it is still very, very competitive.