Aspiring to invest in ATL, NV or STL from CA: Any advice?

[Joslyn Perkins]

Hi ,

I'm about a year away from being able to purchase the first of several multi-family units. I'll be using about 30k from 401k and am looking to purchase buy and hold multi unit properties at $100K or less in Nevada, St. Louis Missouri and/or Atlanta areas.  One of my biggest fears and hurdles is management of the properties. Although I have friends and relatives in the areas mentioned above I can't lean on them for the day to day management and maintenance of my future properties.

How did you acquire your first property manager? Did your property manager handle maintenance issues or did you have a separate relationship with contractors/handyman? What has been your best and worst experiences as an out of state investor?  

Please shine some light on this CA blossoming bud : )