This community is a fantastic place to collaborate and explore new ideas together.Looking forward to engaging with you!

It’s definitely worth exploring if you’re looking for a robust management tool.

Should we explore that route, purchase an already built duplex in Peoria or another part of the Midwest? 

A Title Company can distribute the proceeds based on the agreement, and consulting a CPA will help calculate tax liabilities and explore strategies like a 1031 exchange to minimize taxes.

Have you explored any of these options yet?

Feel free to DM me if you'd like more insights on all this (we don't do biz in Alabama so got nothing to lose).Here's some other "copy & paste" advice on how to search for a better PMC:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

To improve your approval chances, use rental income from your first property, consider co-signers, and explore lenders that use Income-Based Repayment (IBR) for student loans.

When scouting for properties, explore areas on the west side as well as some parts of the east for potential opportunities.

That said, I'm grateful for the alternatives you present--you're keeping the bottom line in mind, so I appreciate your help in exploring options that achieve the bottom line for the investors. 

Once you’ve built some confidence and systems, you can start exploring additional markets.I personally focus on 2 markets that are about 20 mile radius.Make sure the market(s) you choose align with your investing goals, whether that’s cash flow, appreciation, or both.