It depends on your comfort level.

I would prefer to self manage to avoid the high poperty management fees (I think its around 10% + 1 month leasing fee, etc.) and I also worry that the property manager will likely not be as dilligent in finding high quality affordable vendors, etc.I see 4 major pieces of work1) Tenant finding: I feel comfortable doing this remotely.

Investing is a business and the business environment has changed from interest rates to contractors to tenants.

debt coverage is a greater obstacle...than appraisal at 75-80% LTV" - 100% agree...DSC is determining loan proceeds in this high rate environment, not LTV.

Travel is mine, I wanna see the world, meet people, and experience life outside my comfort zone. 

We have found this is usually enough time to allow a client to get comfortable with the process and really see our value both short- and long-term.

In the current environment, a 15%-17% IRR is respectable/realistic on a value-add ~B Class deal. 

In markets like Memphis and others here in the southern/middle part of the country we are still able to cash flow despite the interest rate environment. 

Finding good renters is going to be every house hackers biggest concern.Since you are a private landlord, you can set you application guidelines as strict (within reason) as you need to feel comfortable.

If your wife is comfortable living close to other tenants you can get some low down payment loans and have the tenants cover most if not all of the mortgage.