Regardless if you do or don't travel to the area, make sure you do research on it prior to purchasing, ask local PM companies on the area the property is in, and be sure to always get an inspection done.

My thought process was to do all the due diligence (Inspection, appraisal, rent estimator calculations, etc.) and take all that information to my potential private investors, them bringing the capital, me doing everything else.

Make sure to inspect the property often and its incorporated in the lease agreement.

Small structural issues that came up during inspection which had scared off previous buyers, allowing us to negotiate hard on the price.How did you finance this deal?

The septic failed it's inspection and will need to be fully replaced, I received a quote for $30K which is accurate to the system needed and high water table area.

With the required inspections?

So we can rely on the Inspection to check the property.

You can always write the contract with an inspection contingency in place.

How big of a pain is the FHA loan process in terms of inspections, things you have to fix prior to closing, etc. vs a conventional loan? 

If you do need proof, just post a notice for a mandatory inspection and then take all the pics you need of dog hair, bowls, kennel, what have you.