As I've been looking for a while close to home, I'm considering expanding my search to anywhere around a 5-6 hour drive away (my parents and younger siblings still live in SD, and my work which I can do remote/flex is based in San Diego).I'm considering new markets and interested in feedback on what areas anyone suggest I start to narrow in on. 

It won't be 100% accurate, but it will be close enough.

Those deals do take more knowledge, experience and other resources, but it is possible to find deals even relatively close to you.The most important point is to get clearer on what your goals are.

I’m on the verge of closing my first rental property (90k) in Ohio.

For example, PMLs can agree to covering you at the closing table and advertise only 5% down or no money down, but they will have you sign on their stipulations in terms of amount of property ownership, or control over your property in the event something happens to them.

Asset management is not top focus for those that are very busy at closing the next deal.For new investors: For example, a $50Mil deal can be configured to pay $1 Million (or more) day one, get poor AM, pay no distributions, forced fire sale year 3, and pay another $1 Million in disposition to GPs.

A lot of lenders will even require that a tenant is actively in the property in order to close on the refinance. 

This isn't even close to a comprehensive list, but the point is that you need to learn the pitfalls of each building based on the year it was built and do the due diligence so you don't buy a lemon. 

Sold after 4 months closing to closing.

While we likely won't see sub-5% rates anytime soon, buyers are getting acclimated to the current rate environment which is very close to the 20 year historical average.