Please, can someone help me with information on getting an agent (Group home center) to rent my house to in Maryland. 

You will find some of the people you market to (friends,family, former job associates,etc.) will say ( I am an agent, I used to be an agent, I already know someone I use who is an agent,etc.)This is one of the toughest professions in the world.

But there are tons of areas where you can buy that are not in an HOA. 

If it's an owner occupied loan, the underwriter will need to verify this is your primary residence.

Particularly looking for an investor friendly agent able to take on house hacking clients in NYC and LI

by partials you mean fractional interest in the loan that is transferred to you via an assignment ?

Hopefully you already worked this out.Aside from HML, there's also an option to do a live-in-flip, where you live in the house for a year and renovate it slowly.

Short-term rentals of non-owner-occupied properties will also require a special use variance which is obtainable by starting with the completion of an application in the Zoning Department."

There is an amount that you can distribute from an IRA account to purchase a personal residence.You then might be able to turn the personal residence into an investment property.Best of luck.

If not, I’m guessing it’s not feasible for an out of state investor.