You have a high-earning job for a 19-year old so keep banking the money and don't commit to a property out-of-state until you know where you are going.

I created a google sheets list so I can keep updating it.

., and the things I'd keep is strictly the oil, ags, infra assets and REI.  

Keep saving as much as you can.

I’m concerned that contractors out of state could easily take advantage of you never being on site to keep the contractors accountable 

Keep in mind whether you are the investor performing work without permits or you acquired a property where the improvements were not properly permitted, you are opening the door to greater liability and less avenues to hold those responsible for construction defects accountable.

It could be a matter of giving them written permission to keep the fence there because adverse possession claims need to be without permission.

So if your payments total $20k to them for the year that would be their gain for the year and it keeps them at a much lower tax bracket instead of having a massive gain all at once.

We're occupying the house and plan to keep the property for 5-6y, after which we would either move and hold it or sell it.

Maybe even buy it yourself if the numbers work and you can keep renting it.