I do understand real estate is not a " passive" investment and does take hands on work with regards to even managing a the property manager.My initial thought was/is (given my current status) that the optimal strategy would be to look into turnkey properties to get started and once I move back into the states get into/invest in more areas of real estate investing.  

No way is this a scheme to keep EM for the seller..Anytime I have had EMD disputes it usually gets solved with a 50 50 split since I know what will happen.. what happens is exactly as you describe.. money is to small to realistically hire an attorney to collect..

in such case, optimizing rent justifies longer vacancy.  

Get a DBA and use to open a business bank account.Have your properties "hire" the DBA to manage your rentals and collect rents.Most states require a lease to identify the owner of a leased property, whether a person, trust, LLC, IRA, etc.Landlord = Lord of the Land = Owner per deedAgent = someone legally representing the ownerProperty Manager = Agent

If you would like me to double-check check your current preparer is providing optimal services for a competitive price, let me know!

Quote from @Jamie Johnsen: I don't know of any flat-rate collection agencies.

I've been pretty pedestrian just collecting AmEx points and moving them to Delta.  

You collect market rent (You might be collecting less net rent without a PM, you’re essentially managing for free.)

I just picked a Luxe collection medium queen and it is $1899.

If you elect a PPP shorter than 2-3 years in most cases, the lender is simply going to collect that fee A) upfront as points rather than as a PPP, or B) with yield, meaning a much higher rate.