Here are the numbers:Location: San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles)2bd/1ba - 850sq ftRemaining balance: 314,000Zillow estimate: 676,400Redfin estimate: 713,749Rent Zestimate (Zillow): 2771 (I feel this is a tad high for such a small house)Cons of the house:Old roof mounted package unit, that eventually will need replacing (made in 1999)Still need to repair 4 sides of fencing repaired/replacedDriveway needs a slurry job1 hour drive from my current house with no trafficLawn needs a redesign (more drought tolerant stuff) - It gets very hot in the valleyPros:Mortgage is only 1760 all inPotential ~900 net/moI already have it...If I did sell it, I would like to buy something closer to where I live, but I also don't want to get dinged with any unnecessary taxes either. 

In reality, this is one of those rare times when you can really let your curiosity drive you!

The general rule is that an individual is an independent contractor if the payer has the right to control or direct only the result of the work and not what will be done and how it will be done.Since I'll be investing remotely I'll be requiring someone to help me out in the "bird dog" activity of finding properties through driving for dollars.

Been driving big rigs since 04 and now attempting to get on the investor side.

@John Teachout is absolutely correct, when I have folks from OOS looking to invest in Des Moines Iowa, I'm always trying to get them to double/triple check local markets to themselves even a 2-hour drive would get away from most large "overpriced" cities but still decent cashflow in those areas.BUT@Tereza Fernandez if you are set on OOS investing, I'm happy to share a bit about the Des Moines market and have contacts in other markets around the state to connect you with.Send me a DM or give me some specifics on here of what you want to know about Des Moines market and I'm happy to share!

Store broker says one is a lot easier to get to than the other driving with everything else being the same.Given the competitive environment in certain areas, vacancies take a year or more to fill if at all.

I am also interested to hear arguments for long-distance (but still within driving distance) investing and if that has a high barrier to entry for first time investors.Thanks!

That said, a lot of that credit has to go to myself (at risk of sounding conceded) as I personally had to show and deliver the drive and determination it takes to come this far.

If you are willing to commute a bit to get started you can look outside your immediate area, up to maybe 1 hour drive, to find something that you can house hack to get in with little down and start building your portfolio to save more.

Drive to their house, if possible, with a contract ready to sign.