I am trying to educate myself as best as I can to make a smart decision on an investment property and find investors or hard money lenders to help me achieve my goals.

I will let smart people like @Paul Timmins comment on the rest.

All of these issues seem fairly straightforward to do remotely:- Listing property online- Collecting rent- Scheduling contractor/handyman for repairs- Coordinating self-walkthroughs if there's a smart lock system or coordinating with previous tenant on tenant turnoverHow would people manage these issues?

Keep it simple and do it as smart as you can.To help yourself out personally you ought to form some type of corporation or a LLC.  

My background is mostly technology based having worked in Cell phone Sales, Computer repair, and running a small eBay reselling business.

If you have to LIE, there IS something wrong with your business model.I bet you are smart enough not to fall for the tricks others promote.

Is it smart to send out mailings to potential sellers if your intention is NOT to wholesale the property?

@Al WilliamsonI think we, as landlords, certainly need to use technology to broadcast our vacancies.

I don't mean to hijack the tread but just wanted to point out Troy Zsofka that asking about what else they have looked at is really smart if you know you are in the top tier from a marketing perspective.

properties are cheap compared to RDU area, but you also have to be smart about "knowing your streets."