Nice part is, if you find one you like, then typically owner/occupants are given preference over investors.

I would have a hard time finding employees at that actual wage and I would think people would prefer to be in a non-tipped position like line cook or just about anything else if pay was that low.  

I prefer to remain leveraged and benefit from tax benefits while I grow my portfolio.

If you have any preferred private money lenders that would be helpful too.

My real estate agent had strongly encouraged me to get local financing because he said the seller's agents showed preference to those offers.

Investors/homebuyers begin to rethink their strategy, target market, or target property type.Being that you seem to be in a good flow of analyzing deals within your preferred criteria, I wouldn't necessarily change that.

Not going to last forever as I prefer the security of a bank.

But I prefer to buy and hold vs quick profits. 

Out of state and would prefer the agents go see it for me.

If you are already doing real estate full time or don't have a 40-60 hour job, then you probably aren't taking time away from family and the important things.For me time with family and doing things that are more important than money and for me is a bigger priority than a little extra profit, so my decision is easy I prefer Passive.