Lots has changed over the years.Managing it yourself from a distance can be done, but it will require your team to be built and for you to have back up strategies if guests need attention and you're unavailable. 

I don't like the short timelines/constraints of 1031 exchanges though. 

This method is helpful if there are time constraints on obtaining a cost segregation study, but it is not the most accurate.SAMPLING OR MODELING APPROACHIn this approach, a cost segregation study is performed over a sample of a large portfolio of properties that are very similar in terms of appearance, use and construction.

(c) Minimum front yard: 30 feet distance from front property line to building.

this is very, very difficult to do at a distance. 

I really appreciate your opinions.I still have some doubts because I know people who have bought properties from a distance from Spain and it has worked well for them.

I also don't want to focus on one market, and not be able to score the right property for who knows how long, and then end up missing out on other locations, as being a long distance land lord is very popular as well.

You might be able to find something in a neighbouring state to the east which is within driving distance.

I found similar patterns between all 5 companies: namely, they had taken on too many units, were over-charging me for things I didn't need, and weren't handling issues correctly (they would send out vendors who didn't know what they were doing, mis-diagnose issues etc.)No disrespect to the PMs on this chain or BP in general, but any third-party manager won't perform exactly the way you would like them to simply because of the constraints they are faced with as far as having so many units and owners to keep tabs on. 

A lot of folks that buy at a distance are struggling right now.