I'd buy @David Greene on long distant investing and jump in.Sometimes I think the best thing for newer (and experienced) investors is to move as fast as possible to the next state of being uncomfortable.Successful people get comfortable putting themselves in uncomfortable situations.If you come up from the STL to Chicago let me know.  

What an uncomfortable situation to be in @Sam Abe.

For example, if you sell for $500,000, you can subtract your "routine selling expenses" to determine your net sale price. 

The management company I use for my long term rentals has several employees that get their degree from Stout in Property Management and routinely hire part time help that are working towards that degree.  

City, BRRRR type properties are going above asking price, this puts a lot of cash buyers in an uncomfortable position.

Routine maintenance went by the wayside, the original owner passed away and with him the foundational knowledge necessary to keep the place going, but the kids struggled on with the property.

What you can do is learn all you can starting now about personal finance and how to manage your income and debts, what debts are good and what debts are bad, payment routines, etcetera.   

I routinely hear people talking of creative financing with lenders.

The Net Sale Price is computed by taking your Gross Sale Price ($660,000) and subtracting your routine “permissible selling expenses.”

Don't make offers if you feel uncomfortable, just be aware some agents get burnt out pretty quickly.