Thanks for the tips regarding due diligence.

Any tips on good areas to target for this strategy?

Signing a 50/50 split deal with a coach can end up being a LOT more expensive that guru courses if you actually end up buying houses.So, seek a great COACH, not a training mill guru that runs people thru those programs at the hotels."

Recently I've been considering purchasing $20k-50k homes that are in good condition and tenant-occupied, so my question is, does anybody have any tips for a first-time out-of-state investor?

I recently read in Malcolm Gladwell's book "The Tipping Point" (pg72) that "what separates a great salesman from an average one is the number & quality of the answers they have to the objections  commonly raised by potential clients" or sellers in our case.  

Because the tax bill is in the name of my LLC now, I'm sure asking the county to bill the mortgage company would still tip them off, but you never know.

After all, they're just working for "tips".If you focus on the deal and not being cheap, you'll have a much better chance of attracting both money and profits.

Jeff Tumbarello thanks for the tip Jeff!

Thank you all very much for the welcomes, warm wishes, suggestions, and tips! 

It's good to celebrate success and great tip on Craigslist kitchen shopping.