I am considering a market about 2.5 hrs from where I live. No immediate connection but I have distant family there so I am somewhat familiar with the area (visited a handful of times in my life). I found a realtor who...

They are good but they are only working with local (lehigh valley residents)- so not sure if you qualify. good luckAlso, have you read the book called long distance real estate investing by David Greene!

My uncle lives near me in Bakersfield, and did commute to Los Angeles, but he would spend several nights with his in-laws in LA every week.

There is also a stable entertainment, film, and tourism industry, or was pre-covid.A lot of young professionals choose to live in philadelphia and commute (usually by train) to jobs in montgomery and delaware county. 

I wonder if the attention to detail on his latest message, however, was due to picking up on my concern that he should be more familiar with the entire living setting, commutes, local amenities, etc. rather than just the rental charge.Do tenants who pick rentals solely for cheapness-budget fit and live locally but do not bother to check-out exterior or neighborhood before applying present any greater risks of being difficult tenants?

Continuing, I am a long-distance Investor, operating in The Greater Tampa area.I did a lot of market research before deciding on this market.

But yet again, 'landlording' at a distance has its challenges. 

Now, after courts being closed for so long, and perhaps considering social distancing guidelines after they open, it might go for months more.

If we started in Northwest Indiana, we have the "hassle" of long distance investing.

@Dov SchoenbrunYou may want to pick up David Greene's book on long distance real estate investing.