As such, we opted for the deed in lieu strategy in order to minimize cost and uncertainty while speeding up the timeline.We began working with the borrower to negotiate terms of the deed in lieu.

The agent is going to learn a hefty cost for this and that's your business. 

Be good with your numbers, those are: ARV (based on comps), repair costs and MAO which will allow you to squeeze in your cut in the assignment of the contract.

I'm wondering how folks estimate CapEx, maintenance/repairs, and turnover costs?

Are you looking for official businesses, or more local mom-and-pop Property Managers?

I'm not as booked as I would like to be, and according to others they are going through similar circumstances...Do you expect immediate profits larger then your yearly mortgage and other expenses or do you give yourself a year or 2 like other business ventures?

I’ve been researching businesses for sale and many look profitable on paper.

Thats basically a commercial business loan...just for farming instead of running an accounting firm. 

Also, probably I'd have to fly out to KC a few times until I buy the property to meet the team, potential properties, etc which will add to the costs (~$600-$800 each trip) of owning an OOS property.Given this market, I'd like to hear from OOS investors if they think it's still doable to pull off an purchase worth investing in.I don't want to talk myself out of it again and focus on the negatives but also, want to make a sound decision that benefits me in the long term and doesn't hurt [much] in the short term.

I've done and dealt with almost everything that can go wrong in the Landlord world.It's not a pretty business.