As you stated this is a high caliber investment site, and I would like the opinion of high caliber investors who have done this before.

Hey Hughston, The biggest recommendation I have for out of state investors is for them to build their CORE 4 in whatever city they are investing in.

Now I mainly work with investors in the Tampa Florida area and get most of my clients from here on BPs. 

Hi All Im an experienced agent that has now decided to to open up my own development and inspection business to supplement my sales business. 

Or just go buy properties as an investor

There is a tactic that I have heard about where (rather unscrupulous - but still legal) investors will contact the owner after the close of an auction and will offer them cash on the side to let them buy the property from them during the redemption period.  

As we start to do a deep dive of the market, we would like to connect with fellow investors to get the lay of the land, insights on where to start poking around, areas to avoid, what strategies are working for them, etc.

Welcome to BP Chabeli,These forums are a great place to learn and meet people, whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned investor.

Never a good idea to tell someone who is advising on this forum that they have mis conceptions about goals.. they are trying to help and may have misconstrued your postAnyway your plan is solid and I think you will will get there alone or using a  Joint  Venture investor  for sure

I detail a lot of this in my podcast I have been hosting for 7 years called The Investors Guide to Memphis Real Estate.