I’d love to hear your insights or experiences managing properties with similar setups in Pittsburgh.

It is surprisingly easy to manage out of state and if you want more tips on how, check out Bigger Pockets book "30 Day Stay" on Mid Term Rentals. 

The annual 2% management fee comes out before you get your principal back.  

What makes you want to get into property management?

We manage a property that was having drain field issues for awhile, got estimates and had the owner approve one of the vendors.

You can always reach out to my property manager and talk with them about the comparisons.

No management costs as it would be self managed, and estimated property taxes by the average of the past few years.

One thing I'll add to an off-market deal is you might find a seller willing to do seller financing.You said, "I don't think the time exchanged to manage SFH would be worth my time and the cash flow most likely wouldn't be reasonable enough to hire a property manager.

Hello everyone, I am analyzing the Indio, CA market as a short term rental investment and we'd love to speak to someone who is self managing their own vacation rental.  

3) Buy a few out of state properties directly through an agent and work with a property manager to manage them?