@Alex Ng,I’m glad you’re taking the time to think this through before jumping in.Beyond the typical factors, make sure to pay special attention to idiosyncratic factors that could impact your returns or change how easy/difficult it is to operate as a landlord in a particular market.These include factors like state and local income taxes, the state’s tenant/landlord laws (and notably, how landlord-friendly the state is), city-specific ordinances (like how rigid or lax zoning laws are, or whether point-of-sale inspections are enforced), the presence or absence of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) in your neighborhoods of interest, and so on.

And Cody is one of those guys that is immediately likeable and has a very good presence on video. 

Attending industry events, joining local real estate associations, and leveraging online platforms could help build connections and gather insights from established property managers in these niches.Additionally, consider building a robust online presence.

You need not necessarily have a presence in the state where your LLC is formed.

Credit, Public/Court Records, Employment stability, housing stability, character, and online presence will all show the same patterns...either predominantly Good, or Bad.Make sure your Management Agreement is not incentivizing the PM to cut corners on screening.

You do need a PM or a very strong boots on the ground presence because of your distance from the property.

there is clear exception for ADUs in areas with a significant MF presence.  

In the town I live in, Rosamond, CA, there is a nice military presence and I would do my best to rent to them only.

I can refer a few local commercial brokers if you'd like but you really do need a better local marketing presence and property overview.

You lost control of the situation.The law requires you to give notice; it does not require you to get permission.Your notice should have made it clear that you will inspect on a specific date/time and that their presence is welcome, but not necessary.