Happy to make an intro to my preferred realtor in that market! 

Any active duty base is preferable.    

Once you get through move in, the day to day management is pretty hands off and easy (famous last words, but so far, so good).Other than that, get a second opinion/eye from someone you trust - preferably a professional designer - on the furnishings and design.

They prefer owner-occupants, but like local investors.

I prefer driving for dollars and use my mailers from a 3rd party company after building my list.

My preference is Single Family, although I currently own some mobile homes, some parks, and some small multi-family as well as notes on land and houses. 

Investors typically won't care that you're representing the seller and others will prefer that you're direct to seller.Listing it on the MLS will get the most inquiries for the property.

Just depends on your risk tolerance with the fixed or variable rate preference and which makes more sense for cash flow. 

I know others prefer doing it all themselves.

Good luck to all of us = )   Actually I'm a partner with 2 other seasoned note investors and we have our own Reg D equity fund that buys 1st position NPLs and RPLs with a preferred return and profit split to our investors.