You can also try and incorporate a seller concession of up to 3% (with 3.5% down) which can help cover closing costs and reduce the cash needed to close.

Make sure you have copies of the leases and applications, and that you get the security deposits transferred over to you at closing, and the rents collected for the closing months should also be prorated and credited to you.  

Supervise them to ensure they stay good, and have policies and procedures in place to nip problems in the bud before they grow into something bigger.If you travel a lot, or don't have a lot of knowledge/experience/time, then you should hire a property manager.

From closing to being “rent ready”?

This was as smooth sailing as it comes, easy title, easy loan, easy closing.

Has anyone worked with a lender who has actually closed an FHA, VA or Conventional Energy Efficient Mortgage?

You have earned income within Georgia and will be responsible for paying state taxes on the income earned within the state.It may also be possible that when you sell the property, that the title company will require withholding done at the time of closing and remit it to the state which you can claim as withholding / tax payment when you file you Georgia non-resident state tax return.Best of luck.

The STR loophole is the only one that can't apply in this situation because that one does require stays at your rental property in the year you use it. 

My thoughts: East Bay:- Close to a BART station to traveling medical worker/corporate person could hop on a bus/BART to work: El Cerrito, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Dublin, Pleasanton- Maybe Richmond, Antioch and Pittsburg but some parts have a lot of crime. - Going further out Brentwood and Oakley have appreciated quite a bit and have pretty good schools- Something with potential to add value: ADU attached to the main house or separately in the backyard in the future to get additional rent.

There are some missing shingles that I was going to have a roofer replace once I closed.