So there were cracks in the system prior to these shutdowns that were being smoothed over.

Everything went smoothly and I closed on a deal but months later I became a Broker and found out about so many grants that are offered by not just my state but also financing institutions that would have saved me at least the $12k I put up for all of my fees and light renovations. 

They can handle day-to-day operations, tenant issues, and maintenance, which is vital for a smooth investment experience when you're not local.Also, consider the following:Economic Stability: Look for areas with diverse job markets and low unemployment rates.Population Growth: Areas with growing populations often indicate a healthy rental market.Rental Yield: Research the average rent in these areas to ensure your investment will generate the desired cash flow.Remember, each market has its nuances, so thorough research and possibly a visit to the area could be very beneficial.

To ensure a smooth transition, I make it a requirement for my tenants to schedule services before moving in.

@Justus Albertson The transaction went smoothly.

Lower $ rentals, some sort of hard/smooth surface. 

Whenever you are buying a property out of state you should do a few things to ensure it's as smooth as possible.Don't buy in the roughest neighborhood in the urban core.

Has the bugs been worked out I just started with it and it seems to work pretty smoothly.

My husband finally convinced me that we can learn as we go so though we have huge goals and I’d love everything set up for smooth sailing, we are diving in and under contract on our first out of state property.

For the most part, the rehab went pretty smooth, can’t complain.