If you don't understand the presence of inflation today, look back to the Obama era and executive actions taken on how inflation is commutated in the US, the rules were changed basically making any "official" rate a worthless made-up fantasy number as all the factual factors that comprise of inflation index were removed, such as food.

2) Does anyone have a best practice guide or check list for someone self managing at a distance? 

The home was appraised for about the same value but am not sure if the appraisal can be trusted completely as lot can change in even a half mile distance in this area.

So maybe buying in CA would work if you look out a little further both distance and also time.   

Hi Amy,I suggest you get the book "Long Distance Real Estate Investing" by @David Green to educate yourself better and gain confidence in this particular type of investing.I hope that helps!

Would someone in the home not take proper precautions (mask and distance)?

Pride of ownership seems to be much more common as well as everyone knows everyone in small communities and you don't want to be known as a slob or have an eviction as everyone will know and won't rent to you.I've read David Greene's Long Distance Real Estate and I highly recommend it whether or not you plan on investing long distance but I'm personally stuck between where I should go with my career.

Located in the North End in a very family-friendly neighborhood and walking distance to Southern New Hampshire University, it has  a pool of good tenants needing housing.

I am in SC so I would be a long distance (semi-distance) partner

I am mostly looking for something that is within walking distance to a beach, but not in a sketchy location.