It's better to have boots on the ground who can go with an agent and to inspections than trying to do it all virtually with people you don't know.

If you have trusted family members, and they are willing, of course, then yes, they can be your boots on the ground. 

Out of state Investors who have appetite for the NY area market and surrounding should reach out. 

The only way to combat this is to play their stupid game an fight your property taxes every year. 

For example, I've recently spoken to someone about their MTR in Montgomery and they shared their MTR experience has seasonal occupancy, hard to find boots on the ground, contractors are slow and many do not take credit cards for payments, etc.

Cleveland is an excellent market to get started, and you definitely want to establish your 'boots on the ground' here before diving in - an experienced property management company is a great place to start (Bonus if they have a sales team attached - making it a one-stop-shop!).

Has anybody found an effective way to combat this?

And few kids to boot.

Now several years later, rents have risen, and we are cash flowing (and the homes have gone up in value, to boot).Don't overthink it.

An agent should have boots on ground and walked through hundreds of properties in an area, and sold them as well.