Most courses will be the same as others, picke a county/state, scrub the mailer, and send out the mailer.

Are there any neighborhoods which folks would recommend for a passive, newbie, out-of-state investor, to invest in ? 

I believe others have answered your question but I will point out something that was not outright stated.  

That is how we handle it.3)  If a fee is being charged, most stated require the agent to have you sign off on agreeing the the fee above and beyond the typically commission that is built into the commercial policy.Personally, I would suggest going with the independent agent.  

Anyone familiar with the neighborhood who can give an out of state investor an honest answer?

In NC, and I'm sure in other states under comparable forms, in the 2-T standard form (I don't have a current copy) under 5(b).

My first action would be to go to VRBO and look at various areas of the state - the national and state parks, etc.

@Heidi Saelee there's no logical reason for you not to get your monthly statements timely.Whether those statements show you're owed money or not is a separate issue.So, unfortunately, it's probably time to find another PMC.Be careful about WHEN you report your current PMC to their RE Board, state AG, etc., as they may not cooperate with the transfer of your property to the new PMC:(

Or would you recommend an out of state investment for now as my first rental? 

My message to Indiana is that if you don't care about the out-of-state investors, how about your state and cities reputations?