If you're just starting out, I'd visit a few different mobile home communities and select the areas that you feel comfortable with.

Visit properties.

I've previously visited Japan and loved it!!

@Morgan Merritt if you do want to look into a Heloc, FYI you can get one at Pen Fed at 80% LTV if you have 3 properties or less including a primary and the house is in your name and not an LLC. 12 year draw, variable tied to prime + 1%, no closing costs unless they need a physical site visit appraisal.  

While I would've preferred to visit in person while in contract, my work schedule didn't permit, and I'm comfortable with my local team and the tons of research performed on market, zip code, and neighborhood.

A good GC can be your project manager and then you could pay disinterested third party in KC a flat fee per project visit to inspect and assess % of completion at scheduled contract milestones for each GC payment and/or permit required inspection.

A good wholesaler often uses the services of others to make calls, qualify leads, do site visits, etc.

Is just visiting mobile home parks the best way to go?

I've lived in and visited a bunch of places, but western PA has some unique physical and historical features that lead to the SFR characteristics you describe.The chief one is that there is a disproportionate number of 1890-1929 SFR builds of exceptional, lasting quality out here. 

You definitely need to visit the property and area in general, do a crime report search, check rents in the area and reviews online of the property as well as comparable properties.