If your goal is to minimize chaos, go with whichever option allows you to include a property manager in your budget. 

Real suggestions on how to minimize or eliminate taxes.Also the cost needs to be reasonable. 

Hello, sorry for the delay in response.

No theft, minimal liability, minimal valuation.      

We also had a plumber abandon the job (ask me for his name), which caused us a two month delay...The project came on the market in the winter of 2018/2019 which was a horrible time for the market.

Perseverance + Patience = WINNING FORMULAIn a world of Social Media & Amazon Prime, delayed gratification is just too long and most people want it NOW! 

Although i believe if you're completely new and plan on contracting out most of the work, its more important to study the areas, network and vet your people than to worry about the WHERE - theres certainly upsides for focussing solely on markets outside your own, its certainly doable and a lot of people do it, even (or maybe especially) when your starting out, the added risk can be minimized and downsides you cant eliminate may be worth the upsides.

@Jason Y.It is only a matter of time that tenant will stop paying completely...I would offer him money for key NOW... that would likely minimize your loss, compare to drag this out

However, the bill will be minimal and in some cases you may have a credit due to not using the power companies power.

First time I did this my first contractor flaked and it delayed the process finding another.