They create LLCs in the state where the property is located while maintaining an office at their home in a different state. 

I think I will focus on what I know and my hometown to get started and go from there studying for another year in analysis paralysis will not get me started so with the advise of you good people and a mentor back home I’ll jump in.

I'm looking to send a 'notice to quit' to a tenant that's been in conflict with lease terms on several different points (unlawful possession of firearms, not maintaining clean unit, disturbing other tenants right to quiet enjoyment of property, etc).

Like how can I judge if the roof looks good or anything else that may come at a hefty price to maintain or fix in the short term?

for "regular" residential investments, the maintaining the limited liability aspects can actually confound and/or make it prohibitively expensive for a single investor to do. 

I have one septic system I also pay to maintain that’s about the same price as my sewer bills.

But if you’re maintaining well and septic at $175 lot rent you’re not going to make much money. 

I was very interested in multi-family from a scalability standpoint to get into the game, but now I am studying more on STR's on the coast.

You just don’t gain much by studying and learning the advertising, screening, showing process that you hope to only use every couple years.

The entity effectively incurs much additional costs (mainly the financing) with additional administrative burdens to maintain the corporate veil.