There is an incredible amount of points to consider when weighing the options on something like this and honestly, I don't recommend it to very many people at all ....even seasoned tradesmen and investors.

I highly recommend them.  

That would be my recommendation for next steps. 

If approaching the seller directly, how do you recommend I go about it? 

@Tove Fox hope you find this copy & paste useful:)-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Not much, but something to keep in mind.They are all good options, I would also recommend a place where you are physically the closest to or can get to easily.

I'd recommend against this. 

When I was 22, I did a house hack, and I highly recommend it.

IF you want a VA company I can recommend the company we use out of brazil.

But I can't recommend something I would not do as an investor myself, so here it goes:1.)