One reason was the condo management company wasn't doing a great job and there were always extra levies. 

I have five houses in Memphis area, and the biggest problem has been finding a good property management company. 

It would also be much easier to manage considering you are currently living in Arlington.

With myself as an operator I would offer the following: underwriting the deals, a detailed scope of work, a detailed material list, the labor, and the management.  

It can be in the real estate industry, property management, construction, lending etc.

Unemployment was high but I had savings and managed to find work.

And will you be utilizing property management firms to help out? 

I am a CT based investor, flipper and property management company owner.  

I'd recommend working with a good strong property manager that lives in that area that can check on them.

Their pro formas felt optimistic with providing 6% annual appreciation and property management that is only about 6% of rent so I take it with a grain of salt (they offer their own property management services but it has terrible reviews on Yelp so I would probably go with someone else).