As for evictions, here is a tip from the one "cash for keys" move out we've had: don't be afraid of a little vacancy; a prospective resident with every red flag flying proudly in the wind is not a good match, even if you're new to the MTR game (as I was :) ) 

I mean you take most mid western or deep south cities and over 50% of the SFRs are rentals. were as on the coasts maybe 10% of sfrs are rentals there is a reason.

The red flags of managing from a distance and hiring a property manager are legitimate concerns that make it more challenging.

Biggest red flag, many EXPERIENCED and NEW LOs do is overpromising and under delivering. 

With Rye, White Plains, Patterson, Newburgh, Red Hook, etc... all within that area I would think there would be some options.Most of the rust belt cities are similar, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, etc...

I worry that a disgruntled renter could see potential deep pockets if they did their research. 

Labor, supply chain (we are on an island) and red tape: from offers and closing, to funding to permits.  

However, IL landlord/tenant laws are tough and are worth taking a deep dive into if you are going to investLawton, OK - Good opportunity for sure as many mid-American towns like this are prime for investors.

We’re deep into long-distance or remote investing ourselves, but we’re focused on rural southeast US—think rural Georgia, Alabama, Carolinas.

Simply put you know what you know when you don't know what you don't know, no offense, but most people don't realize it until they get too deep in it to be able to facilitate and then they are flailing and desperately in search of a PM and then they get into bed with a bad one.