You think it will be passive because you are planning on hiring property managers, but that's a big cost for one property and you still have to manage the manager or your cash flow will dwindle.The way you are proposing what you want, you may get caught in a turnkey funnel and end up with less potential scale on the investment than you had hoped.

Has anyone used the Azibo app, if so do you prefer any other app for managing rental properties?

Do you self manage your units?  

For Tucson, AZ I also can manage or co-host the property if you know of a investor or homeowner that want to buy my stuff and have me take care of it all.

Managing a property means you sometimes have to go through uncomfortable conversations.

I'd love to connect with anyone in the area as an investor myself, currently with 2 STRs that I self-manage. 

If you want to manage it yourself, I'd suggest buying close to where you live.

He agrees to this gladly as he would be managing the property and ultimately our goal would be in about 5-7 or so years to refi me out (or whenever it makes sense).

I’ve bought and managed a lot of properties in various states.

I've had my share of real estate misses, but this proved out an investment thesis to focus on smaller properties in well-managed buildings in great neighborhoods.