Because of my professional experience, we'd prefer that our properties be nearby so we can self-manage and save the 5-8% typical of property management fees, at least until our portfolio grows.

They believe putting it on the MLS will make the most sense to them.Like everyone else, we are always willing to partner with people that want to learn through experience and find more propductive ways to find deals.There is money to be made in real estate in this current economy, if you find deals that have not yet hit the MLS.

Find and join a local REI or land lord Association and attend meetings to get local perspectives on markets, LL/tenant laws and experiences etc.Hang out here and search threads that may be relevant to you and your desires/needs.Decide on your objectives from investing, taking into account your resources from financial and time perspectives.

I just started buying tax liens in AZ so I can't speak from experience, just research.

While my cash flow isn't amazing today, I'm investing in areas I think will experience appreciation and rent growth, and if rates do ever come down I'll refinance and be doing great. 

I can barely get firms to look at columbus with 10x years of experience thats mostly for ground up. the average house cost is still less than 100k which means you have a lot of houses to tear down still to create a housing shortage. the economics don't make it favorable for any type of investing but turn key or maybe ground up in the urban core which works in any city. but compare any of these cities, I'll take Indianapolis, Chicago, Minneapolis, and columbus and Milwaukee and pass on the rest. 

Verify the interest rates and terms of the existing loans, as favorable rates can be beneficial, while higher rates might prompt you to consider refinancing later.Assess the condition of the properties thoroughly, especially since the owner is "done with them," which might indicate deferred maintenance.

I would love to work side-by-side with someone with experience so I can gain experience of my own as I build my confidence in doing my own STR for an investor who may not have as much time running a STR. 

Does anybody have any experience with either?

I have done the Rookie Boot Camp which was very beneficial to me  and I am now doing the Multi Family Boot Camp.