If you can't see the property in person, pay an experienced local investor $100 or so (someone unbiased, not your agent or turnkey company) to walk it and do a detailed video tour. 

I'm happy to learn a new skill set and would love to join some local groups.Thank you all in advance for any input!

Paul as a local, but wouldn't recommend it for someone investing out of state.

In our case, we make purchase money loans toward local flips, and I argue that deferred payments make our loans safer.

In addition you'll need to be able to keep up with the ever changing local laws and regulations which is doable from out of state, but will require proactive effort.To find a good reliable PMC I would start by finding 3-4 that are (1) members of NARPM and (2) licensed by the state Real Estate Commission (not required in all states, but always a plus).

To comply with local standards and protect tenants' privacy, make sure the flats have separate entrances, kitchens, and utilities.

A couple of book recommendations:- David Greene's 'Skill' & 'Sold'- Hyper Local, Hyper Fast Agent by Dan Lesniak- Gary Keller's Millionaire Real Estate Agent- Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Successful PeopleSoak up the practical advice and apply it.The main takeaways I got from these books:- A day where you don't work to generate leads is a day off.

@Alecia Loveless many of the towns and cities in Connecticut have these things called Fair Rent Commissions.If you raise the rent too much and the tenant brings a complaint to their local Fair Rent Commission.

In the future, have a process for security deposit return that complies with your local laws and follow it.

There are about 2,000 members in the local REIA which charges $20 a month to be in, and I know of several other investment groups that are over the top charging upwards of $20,000 to join, but who is "Actually buying"?