If not, buying something random and making one trip there for the inspection isn't going to cut it, and will not protect you from buying a bad deal.Can you pick a market within a couple hours of you instead?  

Even partnerships of the closest friends can fall apart, but putting that much trust in a stranger you've only met over the phone or maybe in person a couple times would not be a route I'd go.

-We are closing on a primary residence in a couple of weeks that has a cottage on it that we will begin short/mid term renting upon close. 

I usually refer people to him or a couple of others here in Columbus.

We plan to update a couple of the units, and two of the current tenants' leases expire at the end of the month.

As a starter I think the regional/drive to leisure market would be an area for me to start, where folks can drive within a couple of hours and still get a vacation. 

After the first couple of months, tenants often stop paying their portion.

I haven’t found the 1% rule in my area for the last couple years.

Pramod, There are a couple options we use.1.

I am checking out a couple of books to read and I have the time available to study and learn.