Most of what I’ve read you obtain the code violation list from a city official but it sounds more like you are purchasing the list from an external source? 

I think BRRRR would be quite challenging as a first deal in an out of state market, but that is just my opinion.

I ended up hiring a fulltime property manager (from a family referral) for the properties I have in MN and it's actually worked out quite well.

The process will obviously cost quite a bit more and Safeguard seems to have washed their hands of it completely. 

My clients who invest in Section 8 housing do so in 'not quite' transitioned communities but that have low crime rates.

Quite the opposite - I invest my personal money as just one more member, in each investment we end up doing as a club. 

It is also quite possible that the Buildium system does not support multiple accounts payable or that they would have to create additional accounts payable for you.

I’ve read quite a few posts about foreign investor financing but most seem to deal with non-citizen investors without US credit or personal tax filings.

@Michael BertschAs a general rule, we only leave a fireplace functional unless it has a sealed, externally vented, gas insert ... and, even then we may disconnect it.Check with your insurance provider and see how unhappy a functional fireplace in a rental makes them.

(NY counties are generally quite expensive)Do you have home owners insurance to cover fire or other damage?