Like you said, every time you visit family, you can check in on the properties and now the trip is a tax write off (consult your CPA). 

Good luck on the trip!

Made it back from our recent trip to Belize. 

Richmond certainly would have some potential in pulling trades from, but coming from Lexington, you might face an added trip charge on top of the service provided.Over the past few years, rents have increased nationwide.

it has to be worth a few trips there.

I'd take a trip down to persuade him but then I would be the one in trouble for expecting the idiot to actually be a man and hold his end of a deal. 

Hey Trevor,I took a trip down south this summer, Memphis, Chattanooga & Nashville. 

Quitting is a head trip and it takes a while to wrap your head around it but life, just as in retirement, is what you make of it.So, how are you doing it.

Next, I'd start looking for a market that will fit your needs & do some research on the market's economic divers / population rates & other things pushing the market to grow & take a trip out there to get a lay of the land. 

Also, it goes without saying that if you make a procedural error (very likely as the process is designed to trip up the unsophisticated landlord, and all tenants have the right to a pro bono attorney), then you have to start the process again from scratch.