Out-Of-State Investing Paranoia?

[Luke Redford]

Hey, I'm looking to start investing in real estate and a little unsure of where to start. I want to do long term buy and hold investing of rental properties so that I can have an additional stream of income at retirement. My Goal is to buy 5 properties and have them paid off in 30 years (Very mediocre but easily achievable for me). I live in Seattle and was looking at investing outside of the city (Everett, Marysville if you are familiar) but am curious about out of state investing as the numbers often work out better.

To get to the point of my question, how is a beginner supposed to invest out of state? I was looking at investing with a turn key company (Norada?) as it seems like a good starting point, but I get nervous about essentially trusting a company and then a property management company. Is it better to find a deal where it will barely cashflow (after vacancy & maintenance reserves etc) in a place where I know? Or go afar and try to buy something out of time. I might be able to do one trip to look at it but I can't go back and forth due to work, anyone else paranoid of investing out of town? Thanks