Choosing a market out of state

[Pat Smith]

Hello all,

I know that there are many of you that invest out of state for various reasons. I am curious how everyone has gone about choosing an out of state market to invest in. Especially those who started their investing path out of state. Whether it be an area you were already familiar with due to having previously lived there or have family there, or maybe a referral that led you to that out of state market. There are several potential markets to invest in and out of state investing requires research to learn about the area (if unfamiliar with it) as well as to build a solid team. But before that, you have to settle on a area. What criteria or metrics did you use to do so?