Hi Craig, excellent question! 

Both can be excellent strategies, but one option may be significantly better for you based on the answers to these questions.

Once you have a few candidates, ask about their experience with out-of-state clients, their knowledge of local rental markets, and any contractor or property management connections they might have.

But, excel is totally fine in the beginning (in addition to your PM software to capture transactions outside of the properties).We use QuickBooks Online exclusively for all of our REI Clients.

Currently, INNAGO has proven to be an excellent platform for my needs.

You ask an excellent question on location.

I know there are some PMS lite solutions out there made for low unit count portfolios but honestly I used ical and excel until about 15 units. 

We are happy because the choices we have made have put us in the path of what we love to do and we can excel at it because we feel supported by a network that no matter the question, someone has the answer.

Be sure to take advantage of the excellent tools and networking opportunities available on this platform.

Thank you KC, These are excellent points that I'll be weighing over the next weeks as I make my final decision.