I also live in NY and have invested long distance without scouting the area. 

I was more focusing on 20-30 minute commutable distance with a good school district (for SFHs) and downtown for MFHs. 

Maintenance and potential repairs will also require a long-term financial plan and setting aside a contingency fund for such expenses.The steady cash flow, appreciation over time, and tax benefits can make a meaningful difference to your wealth in the long term, especially with the principal paydown on the mortgage.However, if managing the property from a distance feels too burdensome, or if you’d prefer the certainty and flexibility that comes with having less debt (especially given the high mortgage rates), selling and using the $100,000 in equity to reduce your loan for your next home may be the smarter move.

I've realized that although idaho is long distance for me, it's still a market I'm familiar with and have lots of community in, unlike other areas like arizona and texas.

Are there any challenges I might face, especially if my long-term tenants aren’t comfortable with the short-term rental activity in the same building?

In person control before controlling re from the distance.

If you want to go far, go together.

Someone mentioned wanting to be within driving distance of a property, but I actually prefer not to be close.

I've self managed property for a long time and I belive that no manager does as good a job of managing as I do. 

I'm going to buy my first property within the next couple of months and I'm curious about how people manage their properties when they are not within a driveable distance of them.I understand they have property managers but where do you find them?