Personally, i almost never (only if appreciation is HUGE and virtually guaranteed) use appraised or sales comps for valuing income or rentals.  

@Douglas Snook  how does title work in your state.. do you use title companies or is it attorney driven and you have to hire an abstractor to run title.. or can you simply call your title company like we do and in 2 minutes you have a TRIO showing last recorded deed and mortgage e mailed to you.We are seriously spoiled here on Left coast when it comes to instant and free information on properties. 

Do you have a real estate agent/broker as part of your virtual team?

If you find another investor in your area you could hire him to check up on the place, and you could exchange the favor when he is out of town.Good luck and enjoy the RV lifestyle!

Hire an attorney?

I tend to be a do-it-yourself-er to a fault and am slowly learning to let go and hire experts in certain areas.

Hiring a PM doesn't interest me, can't see it...What's your exit plan?

Together as a team, we feel confident and are ready to take action into securing our family’s financial future.We have seen a lot of debate about whether becoming licensed as a real estate agent/broker/realtor is necessary, but because we both are in this together, we have decided that my wife will be the one to become licensed, eliminating having to hire an outside agent, killing two birds with one stone.

Final thoughts - get at least two contractors to give you a bid and make sure the contractor you hire is licensed and has a positive history of good work.   

So together I think we'd be a good fit - he knows/sees who the good subs are for the various areas of work that would need to be hired out, has been in the industry for a good # of years and does work for quite a few well known/respected builders.