My priority is getting this repaired for my tenants, and by networking I've found a trustworthy experienced electrician that is able to come out asap to do the work.

Trustworthy?

I don't speak in equations, but I also don't try to claim some academic high ground while I ignore trustworthy online financial tools like Bankrate and Quicken.

I feel like there are some places in Texas such as Killeen where the taxes aren't too high - it is definitely a personal choice of how comfortable you are with investing out of state - I would make sure you have trustworthy people who are local to where you will invest to help you out and check on things! 

You find a good trustworthy company to park your retirement assets -- this is no different.

we want to begin real estate investing but my credit sucks and she isn't the most trustworthy person. what are some of the best strategies we can take to be successful while at the same time ensuring that I don't get burned by my sister?

She seems trustworthy but naive, I assume the new landlord is sleazy at best.  

And until the manager proved him/herself to be trustworthy, yes, I would micromanage on all costs.That's just me. 

There are too many people in the world with good credit and trustworthy to get fooled by the bad ones and have to deal with it later.

If you were to offer a flat rate, as others on this forum do, landlords would love you to manage their properties, if you are otherwise trustworthy and find them good tenants.