I am thinking of investing in more distant properties like North Carolina, while not getting too far from home.

I might know some very distant people who I could potentially approach with an 'actual deal', but how do I package, uh, myself here?

You are paying in the most expensive dollars (today's dollars) and avoiding paying in the least expensive dollars (ones in the far-distant-future). 

Everything else is a distant second.

I'm not sure about your parents financial situation, but if they can hold onto it your family will benefit further by them willing it to you & your siblings upon their passing (hopefully in the very distant future). 

In the distant past, I recall that these loans usually require a massive down payment percentage, and frankly not very good terms.Hope that helps :)

Now, I don't invest in California however, there is a trend at present according to data where people are moving out of urban city into the surrounding suburban or distant cities.

They will help you to learn entire process, and then it will be much easier to carry on this experience in the new area, which is distant to you. 

However, I see plenty of challenges, especially without experience, a strong team, and in a distant market where it's harder to be hands-on.

@Osvaldo Benavides here are some reasons you would hire a GC:1) It’s not one of your strengths to oversee a rehab 2) The GC fee works in your numbers and you are okay sacrificing some return on investment for ease 3) You are physically distant from the renovation