Looking to buy in Williamsburg, VA... best way to start?

[James H.]

Greetings, BPers,

I am looking to buy a SFH in the Williamsburg, VA area (where I have lived for the last two years, but am currently renting on a local military base, and am about to retire). My goal is to buy a house, remodel it to my liking, but then rent it out in about five years when I will probably move to another state. I am single and am not too picky on the location or schools.

In your experience, what are the decent neighborhoods that appeal to renters in this area?  Kingmill (though I have heard that Kingsmill is not landlord friendly)?  Queen's Lake?  The Skimino area?  Gated communities?

I assume I should find a real estate agent that is also familiar with property management and can answer such questions?  Any recommendations?

Seems like Williamsburg has a LOT of inventory right now.  That's great for me as a buyer now, but not so great for me as a seller in five years (though, who knows what will happen over the next five years, of course).  Any thoughts on the current market in general?

I was hoping to ask all these questions at a the local PREIA, but had not been able to attend any due to work commitments.

Thanks for anyone's advice or thoughts,

J