Learning a new local market in lightning speed (or out of state)

[Martin Sterling]

Learning a new market in lightning speed

I want to invest out of state for a buy and hold in a place a no nothing about (Wisconsin ) in the next 12 months. What I want do is:

1 - find someone like a Wholesaler who can be "boots on the ground " and partner with them doing an equity split or upfront fee or both

.2 - Do online research as much as possible to learn the different areas.

3 - Take at least one three day trip down there to meet with some potential team members and hopefully go to REIA.

In terms of online research, what do you recommend? I know zillow and neighborhoodscout have some good data, but how would you specifically define a good area to buy and hold? What are the must and must not have metrics? Is it necessary to go to town hall meeting?I know my area but that's because I've lived here for years. How do I condense that feeling of knowing an area down from decades into days?