Im instituting professionally made video walkthroughs and requiring tenants to drive by the property.

Did you have a professional (title company or attorney) run a full title search?

In part, I can blame myself for this but now that I am a bit more committed to RE I have started to ask more questions and things do not seem right.

Also, I have friends who live in PA and would be a good resource for professional CPA services there if you go that route.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

The most “professional” one I’ve talked to is a guy that drives around collecting cash from tenants once a month- having close to $10,000 in his car!

when I did retail real estate I suspect I only worked with 20% of the people I came into contact with the rest I just knew it was going to be frustrating for both parties but what I like about my clients most have become life long either friends investors etc.. 

The challenge I encounter was raising my hard money to close this deal at first.Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I can't speak to the professional real estate side of your questioning but re: the "from away" bias... 

The more bedrooms you have, the more attractive the rent from furnished shared house rentals to professionals (1 per room) can be.