I think people often sub optimize their investment because they want to be close to home.

To elaborate further on what @J Scott mentioned I would say invest time in optimizing your website.

My perspective on investing remotely is that I will probably not do it optimally the first time, but I will gradually learn what I need to know from the practice to get better.

And not that you would even have to lose money for your first deal to be a setback, but if it isn't launching you forward then you have sold yourself short.That being said if you don't know your options through study etc, then you will have a difficult time formulating/building an optimal plan for your REI career.Also if you haven't read Rich Dad Poor Dad.

It sounds like you're just moving money around, not optimizing any particular income or making any real forward progress.

A really helpful tool to choose your optimal amount of leverage is a sensitivity analysis, which will weigh how much leverage you use (0%, 10%... 90%) relative to adjusting 1 other item at a time, such as appreciation or rent growth rate etc...  

Is it optimized and placing well in searches?

Someday, I will likely hire and train my own property management assistant so they know "my way" of doing it vs. a canned method that may not be optimal for my class of rentals (typically "Class C"....sub $30K units). 

2) the placement of the fridge does not seem to be the most optimal being right next to the back door.

I like your optimism on 'suffering less'. :)