This will satisfy the A to B closing, but how do I collect my assignment fee from the cash buyer? 

The other option I have is to sell the place, take the money and put a down payment on a few turnkey properties in another city.Any insight from your collective wisdom would be sincerely appreciated. 

Now I’m not worried because o have automated online systems for rent collection, contractors and licensed repair professionals on speed dial, and I have some boots on the ground in the form of family who can lend their knowledge and keep an eye out for me.My first thought to this question is : if I’m worried that it may be too far ,then for me it may be too far.I could never do a flip that far away, IMO.

BiggerPockets has an REO resource to check out:https://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/bank-owned-reo/

If you were to do a gut on the rental, how much more in rent to you expect to collect?

@Dan Miller Kyle Hanson is a good resource for this.  

I would suggest local meet ups, there really inspire you to go after what you want and a great resource for learning from people who are doing what you want.

You'll find a ton of great resources. 

The original owner is probably close to even (or at least what was planned) and the tenant is also at what was planned but got to apply some rent to purchase likely waiting for them to have the resources to purchase so the tenant is better off than if they had simply rented. 

(See Property Management Companies under RI DBR's Commercial Licensing Regulation 11: Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons)If they can't tell you that, then I would not do business with them because they would have demonstrated their lack of understanding RI law relating to property management, right off the bat.Also @Chandler Roman's having found that their website is a "squeeze page" whose purpose is to collect information is another not great sign.