I have heard that exploring the area in person is one of the most effective strategies, physically observing the area and looking out for rental signs and what not.

I would include Zillow in the mix and go out to physically see a few of the properties you are comparing to yours.

If so, whenever the landlord has to use a physical address, how will the address be listed if tenant is on 1st floor and the basement isn't an apartment?

Having a physical asset-investment property certainly has a different character than shares on a screen.

I recently found an out of state his home I would like to bid on but my agent told me it would be difficult for me to bid because of hud's requirements that the contracts must be physically signed.

I've only had one eviction where I had to get the marshalls to physically throw them out. 

I mean, you're asking for their name, phone, email, address- all up front, and not even supplying a physical business address... see what I mean?

Need to be able to add (at least) a little value, either through physical improvements, effective management, or both.- Interested in multi-tenant office, multi-tenant light industrial, multi-family or self storage.

I have an e-commerce background selling physical products online for over 15 years.  

So I’m pretty limited in what I can do physically, fortunately most everything can be accomplished from a computer.