I do know that his house has a FMV worth more than the note as I have physically been inside. 

Compared to an IRA, Solo 401k contribution limits are roughly ten times higher.There is no custodial requirement for the 401k.You don't need the additional expense and administration of an LLC to have checkbook control.There is a built in-Roth component whereas IRAs are either traditional or Roth, not both.A spouse can also participate in the same Solo 401k plan.The Solo 401k has additional tax benefits over an IRA when investing into real estate using leverage.You can borrow from a 401k, but not an IRABoth C-Corps and LLCs can adopt a Solo 401k.

As a self-administered qualified employer retirement plan, a Solo 401(k) requires access to quality guidance, and such custodial firms are simply not built to provide such guidance. 

For example, service animals (which are for physical disabilities) can only be dogs or miniature horses. 

Win/win .Went back and forth with the PV company on physical design for this. 

It may not be in the right segment of the flood plain, or be the wrong type of benefit (flow, storage or area) but it could be and it would be a win-win potentially.None of these may actually be useful, but the only way to find out will be to physically explore each one....This is really a detailed approach to the old "offer the property to the neighbor".

Since I have not physically seen the house, I assumed that with all the units already renovated the rent would be about 1100 a month.  

Trying to figure it out what are the best methods to take in consideration before physically go to see it.

We don't give our tenants a "walk-through" list of steps to take, but rather, we either go physically ourselves to the property or call up our local handyman to check the basic things before we call in expensive electricians or plumbers.

Would you consider physically moving to Cincy, Indianapolis, Fayetteville NC, and other cheaper markets?