If you work with the right agent, they will have experience and will bring a whole team that you can lean on (attorneys, lenders, contractors, etc).

I am leaning towards vacant; 1 less thing for me to do, appeals to a broader array of buyers and way easier to show the propertey.   

(3) what market is convenient for you (based on where you spend / wouldn't mind spend) your time (if you want to be an active investor)?

@Ali Boone Thanks for the sound advice, I’m leaning towards the turnkey class B homes as a safer way to start with diligent homework being my first long distance investment.

I was leaning this way as I understand that I can write off the interest on a rental.

If you can't, then you're a gut-feeling kind of person, which leans towards horizontal as you'll be more experimental, typically. 

., but at the moment I'm leaning heavily toward Costar just because they're THE name in this space.

That is what we are leaning towards right now.

Ah thank you for the clarification @Chase Louderback, it hasn't all come together yet although as a practical matter, I'd be leaning a bit more on the experienced partner(s) while I come up to speed.

Ashely, that's what I was leaning towards.