My biggest roadblock is figuring out what to do if/when we decide to sell the property.

Would love to help if you decide to buy in SA.

Demand is important in either way you decide to go. 

You could try managing from an hour away and if it works out stick with it, if not you can always hire a property manager.Elmhurst is generally a better area, but houses are also usually more expensive, so you have to weigh that and see if you would rather get more house for your money in a cheaper area, or a nicer house (and nicer tenants) in a better area.If you do decide to manage from afar then I would say stay out of C areas.

They've decided against taking on that risk and instead are passing that on to you, their client.As landlording is a business, many of us choose not to add an additional risk component by prohibiting breeds of dogs the insurance data shows as a risk.  

The only reason this became a problem for me to decide was because i have been recently given the opportunity to become a manager of the store which would be a good pay raise from what i am making now.

So my wife and I have decided it's time to upgrade our personal home.

But recently decided that we want to move to the myrtle beach area.

Also, have you decided on what method you will be using to invest in properties. 

but your right real estate can be transacted between parties don't need a lawyer or title or escrow company or agents or lenders or anyone but the two parties.. when foreclosure rescue lease back in our state was legal I did a ton of it.. and there simply was no time to involve anyone.. when the seller decided at 10am on Wednesday they needed to take Massive action and their foreclosure was scheduled for the next morning..