Also, I have friends who live in PA and would be a good resource for professional CPA services there if you go that route.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

The most “professional” one I’ve talked to is a guy that drives around collecting cash from tenants once a month- having close to $10,000 in his car!

The challenge I encounter was raising my hard money to close this deal at first.Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I can't speak to the professional real estate side of your questioning but re: the "from away" bias... 

The more bedrooms you have, the more attractive the rent from furnished shared house rentals to professionals (1 per room) can be.

Jackson, I am not a professional advisor,  First and foremost, Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do this. 

Out of state Investing is always a much more involved venture, but it's certainly not out of possibility as long as you are fully educated in that market, have analyzed several properties, have visited or if unable to personally visit have a real estate professional that can tour and offer you an unbiased opinion, have your financial resources in check and have a good team of people in place there, especially when you can't be.

TBT Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

This is not legal advice but I will give my professional opinion, as a property manager.