Single Family home in Maryland DC Virginia

[Abebayehu Gechere]

Hi, I am a newbie to real estate as well as to BiggerPockets App.I am making a research to buy a single family in Virginia, DC, or Maryland to rent. My vision is to have an additional sources of income. I contacted one of the agency. I am working as IT guy in Birmingham AL. My plan is to buy a house and rent it through property management or work with my friends to manage it. I have a couple of close friends in DC areas. I never owned any property before. Any advice to be successful? THANKS