From the road to the front steps is approximately 150feet so it's a good distance but we've thought about a ball rolling down toward the street and our little one running after it.

In my experience, the cost ranges from $3000-5000 depending on the size of the unit and the distance they have to run ductwork. 

I go further out on time if their isn't enough data before I go further out in distance.

If comps are located in other markets I will use value adjustments/explanation to verify distance expanded or justify outliers in specs. 

Other examples are zombie homes, where owners disappear, and banks keep their distance, local authorities spent millions on issues that rightfully should belong to the owner and banks, and many hiding behind LLC's.

So owning and managing first property from a distance has been a little difficult.

I manage four properties long-distance - three are 200 miles away, one is 2000 (it used to be the opposite).  

I would love to connect with anyone in the area, or even out of the area for that matter as long distance investing really interests me considering CA prices..

Commute would kill me. 

I came into this business traveling a significant distance to draw down a teacher's salary.