What you should spend your time looking at are market fundamentals such as supply and demand, the strength and diversity of your local economy, and the laws and political trends that are impacting being a land lord.  

@Matt M.I feel similarly, as a realtor here in Baltimore I have assisted some professionals who were selling turn key rentals on a smaller scale.

I am currently deployed and I need a trustworthy accountant from CT to assist me with my taxes this year.

I imagine this would come in handy when it is time to talk repayment, eviction proceedings, taxes, and if there is ever a rental assistance program that the president mentioned. 

Here's the link to the VA to determine how your situation fits into their funding fees.https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/Best of luck!

You can start by hiring a virtual assistant to help you set up calls with investors or create deal presentations.

I do assist with filling up my vacancies, which I enjoy doing.

More importantly, the aspect of providing value to others prior to asking for assistance or expecting something in return. 

I have spent the last few months learning and trying to educate myself, and will be interviewing a few RE agents tomorrow, hoping to find someone that will be a good fit.What questions should I be sure to ask when interviewing potential agents that will help me find out whether or not it's someone that will actually assist me on this path?

For awhile Philadelphia was the best kept secret for a lot of NY investors but as of the last few years there has been a ton of NY money being dumped into philly, especially now because of the Rent control laws that passed here, but there are still deals out there. snap shot of philly - Steady population growth yr over yr - Steady job growth yr over yr - Diverse economy  ( top 3 health care, education & tourism )- Location...  2hrs from NYC "financial hub of the country" &  2(1/2) from Washington DC " the political of hub of the country.