One of mine comes to mind as an example - mixed use building (2 retail spaces on the main level and a 2 bedroom apartment upstairs), great area too.

Hit me up sometime I sort of get that feeling as well for a lot of Greater charlotte areas -- but man if you drive around in I77 or other main highways the roads feel busier than Metro NYC ones at times.

I purchased a condo in Portland, Maine with cash five years ago for $155K.

We were interested in this kind of deal because we need to build capital for other investments (mainly buy and holds and lending).

My main goal is to do this for cash flow purposes, that's most important for my family. 

Is there any parking along the main public road in front of the houses and is there any off street parking at any of the houses off the main public road?

One of my main concerns entering an out of state apartment investment is to whether I should have my own agent represent me or be dually represented.I'm in a position where I need to be able to have options to propose creative financing such as seller financing, maybe lease options, ect.

YUP when it was legal to do these in Or and WA It was my main business model.. we still bought at court house steps but only after we failed to get the owner to deed to us and let us buy sub too..Now this comes with risk.1. usually not enough time for title company escrow so you buying without insurance.2. old owner may squat even though they say they wont.3. bank can call the loan all over again but you have plenty of time to sell before that would happen.4. you miss something with your do it yourself title search.what you need is an Authorization by the owner signed with their SSI so you can contact the Trustee service that is holding the sale and the bank .. to get accurate payoff numbers.. then you simply get a cashiers check or wire to the trustee or service and reinstate the loan at the same time U prep a deed from the owner to you.. 

We have a legal accessory apartment that we currently rent out, however, as far as I can tell, we would be in violation of the zoning commission if we were to move and rent the main section as well.

There are a lot of moving components here, possibly too many.