I learned from a experience that I needed to run the prospective tenants' names myself, maiden and married, at the courthouse(s) in the county(ies) they lived in the last 12 years. 

Poof, there goes your $1,800 on cross-country flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. 

I only have to to report to work 36 times a year so at first I considered just making 36 round trip flights back and fourth between GA and WA or getting an rv and just keeping it parked somewhere for the times I don't feel like coming back.

If I'm in your shoes I'd be booking a flight this weekend to Carrollton (wherever that is) and seeing these properties and contacting agents about setting up showings for you for other investment-grade properties. 

I could see Indy too... 6 hours in any direction to 2/3rds of the population 1.5 hours flight time same thing.cost of housing much less than Texas... and there is plenty of room in Indy to expand in all directions.. brand new terminal Fed ex hub  ....

My interest in OOS investing has grown exponentially over the last few months, and I'm curious if you think a drive is better than a flight for any specific reason?

If there is nothing you like within a 2-5 hour drive, then find something with an inexpensive and/or short flight.

(CLICK HERE)  Which like my friend @Michael Greenberg usually advises, at least make sure you are only a few hours flight away. 

You’ll want to check in and those flights across the country won’t be convenient or cheap.

It's your local city officials (along with other city's) that need to step up and flight blight , get these houses faster off the board up stage, so they can be rehabbed or tore down, so homeowners can keep their properties intact without being forced to pay this type of increaseTry a city council meeting to voice your concerns.. good place to start