Has anyone had any experience with this region in that regard?

If they are not aligned then simply keep looking till you find one that is.I would look up NARPM and start with them..Below are some questions I would think would be a good starting point for you to see who really treats their company like a business or a hobby.My business partner is a regional VP for NARPM and I am happy to help if you need anything please reach outQuestions to Ask prospective management companies* What are your average days on market for vacant homes?

These brokers often carry off-market listings and it would be great for you to develop relationships with those in the region you want to work in.

That looks like a fairly broad geographic region, do you have a building size, age, type narrowed down?

We live in the Augusta, Ga region and would love recommendations from the BP community as well as any pros/cons you've had with property management. 

If they are not aligned then simply keep looking till you find one that is.I would look up NARPM and start with them..Below are some questions I would think would be a good starting point for you to see who really treats their company like a business or a hobby.My business partner is a regional VP for NARPM and I am happy to help if you need anything please reach outQuestions to Ask prospective management companiesWhat are your average days on market for vacant homes?

Could continued strong population influx into Arizona cause Phoenix and Tucson to merge into a common mega-region one day?

However, I tried to do a heloc with Regions and Navy fed and was denied as its an investment property and duplex.

This will vary by region. 

There is a fella here on BP that has a fairly nice east Texas 25-unit complex that is more like what I have in mind, but I'm thinking I'm going to try some cold-calls in a region I'm more comfortable with, with friends and family nearby.