I found myself caught between wanting to pursue my newfound interest in real estate and following through with my original plan of becoming a Physical Therapist.

I do this and have found it more targeted and less risky in that I am only reaching out to people who own assets that I actually want and I can also inspect the physical property before I go under contract with a seller. 

I also took advantage of video walk throughs since I too will not be able to physically go to most of these houses I place offers on.

Which certainly would not disallow the LL from themselves physically doing the labor but nothing specifies rates.

Not condition, but the physical shape?

Step 1: You have to have at least one person who is physically in the market you are buying in.

Physical proximity is always a good way to start.

According to my math based on the comps, I'm estimating repairs to be $50K; and I'm offering $5K less than the $229 asking price.I've not physically seen the property (only virtual photos).

I feel that most of the maintenance issues that come up even here in my hometown, I don't have to be physically at the house to work with repairman, so could I do the same from out of state?

Looks at the house physically and online.