There are many duplexes & triplexes in the city (even one's built years ago), that are not zoned for their particular use.

I don't want to give them a specific reason why, I just want to say something like "sorry, we have chosen a different tenant".BUT...if the house stays on the market after that, it's going to be obvious that I don't really have another tenant, I just don't want that particular one.

This particular tenant is clearly disturbing the rights of others and should be removed.

Thus, I have been looking at out of state rental property investing, particularly in Cleveland and Milwaukee.

At 2M+ price tag, Id have imagined tenant interviews are reasonable, particularly in tenant dependent leases. 

Not sure which meeting you've already been invited to, but since you're in Raleigh I definitely recommend checking out the Triangle Real Estate Investors Association (TREIA), particularly their meeting for new investors that happens at the beginning of every month.

If you are brand new, I completely understand your friend's reluctance, particularly if you don't have any skin in the game. 

This is a common dilemma for the self managing part time handyman landlord.Here are few other "easy" ones IMO and in no particular order:ToiletsDrywall repair (small)Jammed garbage disposalsPilot lights and thermocouples.Rubik's cubesSwitches and outlets.Light fixtures and ceiling fans.

Perhaps a fee-only financial planner is the solution to this particular problem?

I would recommend utilizing social media to your advantage - there are a lot of groups, particularly on Facebook, that are Indianapolis-focused that allow you to narrow in on the real estate investing market and get connected to wholesalers, lenders, and other real estate professionals quickly.I'd set up an email you feel comfortable providing publicly for wholesalers in particular - vet those you work with and be careful of daisy-chained deals.