If i were in your situation, with my own risk/reward profile and my own investment goals, i'd seriously consider a home equity loan to be used as down payment for multiple, out-of-state rentals. 

There's always room for negotiation especially when you're not in a multiple bid situation.

You need no experience with an apartment complex with multiple units where one vacancy does not hurt so bad financially. 

I have worked over 24 hours straight multiple times.

I know there's a million ways to skin a cat and it comes down to personal preference, but my CPA seems so adamant about not paying my house off that it has me second guessing doing so.

If you have had to come out to the home multiple times for several plumbing issues, you need to hire a professional to look over the system and fix the issue.

There are multiple deals in every city, just have to be on the hunt and relentless in your pursuit.

most leads are pointless , If I get 20 contacts some are rentals , people contacting multiple agents , people already working with an agent , or just general inquiring.

Wouldn't it be great driving test driving multiple cars without having anyone there and pressuring you to buy each car you just drove instead of test driving 5+ cars?

That is a mathematical fact proven over multiple decades of research.