However, investing locally has become increasingly unfeasible and unrealistic due to the high costs.

Consult a CPA or real estate attorney to understand tax implications, build a reserve fund for unexpected costs, and research local regulations to ensure a smooth and profitable transition into rental property ownership.Good luck!

If anybody local (especially other wholesalers) or anybody else even out of my market wants to connect, feel free to reach out!

Your local MLS already have this data and send a monthly update to all their member.

Also, about seeing a property in person:  I have found local real estate agents, who are willing to go out and take photos and email to you, for a modest fee.

Hey, I am an in the Kansas City area looking to meet and connect with local investors.  

Try talking to local banks who want to do business with you.

My thinking immediately turned to researching local rental costs per square foot to determine income potential with triple the current square footage.

Quote from @Gregory Wilson: A few things there, Brendan.First, an LLC with you as a member and your (wife, son, pal, etc.) partner as a 1% member will file a Form 1065 which is about one tenth as likely to be audited by the IRS as a Form 1040 with a Schedule E rental activity (which I presume you will attempt to show is an active business).Second, you want an LLC because when your local Alabama handyman drives his girlfriend's uninsured truck into a van load of U of A medical school interns on I-22 when he goes  to get some shingles for your roof, on your business, you don't lose everything you have or ever will have to an uninsured claim. 

A local property manager will make this much easier and handle the visits for you.Single-family homes can still do well, even with more apartments popping up, as they cater to tenants who want privacy and space.