Driving 4 hours round trip to save $180 per month does not seem worth it to me.

Its very popular here, and unfortunately whats driving auction prices so high so it becomes harder for others to get a deal.So for example, property has ARV of $650,000. 

Why the need to drive the letter to the tenant?  

I'm asking because I hear all the time that trying to invest in NYC, the game is different and they always speak about investing out of state, a couple of hour drive away.

Nope):1 - Learn how to analyze with real numbers2 - Learn what a plan is, and how to develop one for REI3 - Learn what is important to a REI...and then start thinking like one, instead of a homeowner.4 - Learn how Money Works5 - Learn how to analyze Markets (not economic...geographic) in order to find where the properties whose profiles match the criteria you need to execute the plan you developed.6 - Learn how to eliminate any emotions, both yours and the ones you think are driving forces for the buyers/renters that will be your clients7 - Learn how to eliminate any for of "rationalization" (most expensive word a REI can use) from your thoughts.8...and last, for now, learn how to describe yourself (when asked what you do for a living) as a "Successful Real Estate Investor". 

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn right there in the heart of all the action and down by the lake, did the syrup tour @ Bragg Farm Sugarhouse and even had a pretty big bird decide to take off as I was passing it and fly across my windshield and hit it with the sound of a big "THUNK" while driving to the Bragg Farm.

I keep them within driving distance so i can do the repairs and management myself.

However OKC is not too far of a drive!

I spent more than 4 hours driving different neighborhoods the other night, something I plan to do at least every other week.

I'm going to be listing my house for sale in a week and a newish neighbor has me worried that he might drive away potential buyers and I'm not sure what to do.