So really the answer to your question is first to define a set of criteria.

I was considering a property manager but I really don't know if it's necessary  as long as I could set up some sort of automatic payments with the tenants.. 

And can someone recommend good and inexpensive (or should I say not too expensive) CPA and lawyer, knowing that I don't want to spend a lot of effort and money on setting up a structure for what could be the only operation of this type we ever do?

The point John was making, I think, is that the depreciation and other paper deductions that you create by having rental properties, can help off-set your SEI, and any other income for that matter, as a 'real estate professional'

It will take you time to set them up. 

Then I had the thought that if we just went with simple keypads (programmed only on site, we keep the backup physical key), we could require/help each tenant set their own code at move in.  

@Julian Pilate-Hutcherson We work almost exclusively with OOS investors and it's a mixed bag...I sold 3 MF properties this month to folks that have never been to the state...and I have another set of clients that have been in the market for months and make routine visits to the city...I think it has a lot to do with comfort-level...truth told, we can leverage technology and get every possible detail on the table for review to make a pretty informed buy/pass decision...combined with an inspection and appraisal, there is really no need to be here in person looking at deals....

Loooing for Attorney recommendation to look over PSA and help setting up leases.

@Aaron Maxwell, I think you should set some goals, and then figure out what it's going to take to get you there.

A strong lease is important, setting clear expectations of what will happen if something goes wrong.