I'm looking for advice on out-of-state investing since I can't be physically present in Ohio due to my 9-5, and some advice on first-time investors.

Hi @Dan Vleck,My thought is that I would ignore his physical condition at this point.

I highly suggesting being in the area physically for awhile if you are going to invest here. 

RESPONSE: Renting an Apartment just to change your address without physically moving into the new place, sounds like could have some semblance of misleading the lender or depend how the prosecutor might charge it - Loan Fraud!

You get what you pay for and paying for someone to protect your asset physically and financially is one thing you need to ensure you vet correctly.Best of luck to you!!

There is a lot of benefits to owning property (cash flow, tenants pay your loan, it's a physical asset, etc.), but I think you're running into the hardest part of investing in Real Estate:There are a lot of options to invest in RE.This is either a blessing or curse, and your case, because there are so many options, it's a curse haha.

Should I connect with contractors before I start physically looking at properties to get estimated renovation costs?

From what I could gather - correct me if you know otherwise....IRS requires a physical address for federal taxes - so your company is supposed to have a physical mailing address regardless of the state you live in.

My property manager charges me 6%, she collects all the physical checks and cash and schedules maintenance.  

I found a great cloud-based brokerage that will allow me to train without physically being in the office taking leave from my military position.I think about finding a brokerage like going shoe shopping.