Do the numbers matter more than proximity to your residence?

Most lenders won't let you throw in costs for permits, licensing, etc... as those are business expenses and don't add value to the physical property. 

When my wife and I can't physically do it, we pay another agent to help us.

There are a lot of decent areas to choose from but this proximity to Chicago has kept rental rates stable. 

There's not much there yet but hoping proximity to Tesla and the airport helps to grow that area.

I'll speak to the morning ritual........my morning routine is A1.....and has helped lead to my overall success........I'm up at 430......pray....meditation.....affirmation notebook and gratitude journaling......Journaling...... off to the gym....I actually have a night routine that I just started as well.......yoga then 25 mins of reading a physical book......

I'm not sure where you are in proximity to Charlotte, but city proper does not qualify. 

High price points and proximity to much of Silicon Valley.

Is the close proximity to my first rental and the off-market deal worth taking a risk on stretching myself thin for a few months?

I will probably never go to the property physically.