Long-Distance real estate deals for Newbies

[Ryan O'Leary]

Good evening everyone,

I’m new in real estate investing and looking to purchase my next property. Because of my job requirements, I move every few years but my hometown is in Worcester County, MA.

Looking on Zillow and Realtor.com for potential deals, and I know they’re not the best, but they’re the only sources I’ve utilized so far. Is it best to see a property in person first at an open house and then bring a contractor(s) in to get estimates of upgrades, etc? Or do you have the contractor meet you at an open house first and go from there..

Right now I don’t know any contractors and I know I’ll eventually get to know some throughout my career, but I’m hesitant of how to go about buying a second property while living in Hawaii just by looking on Zillow/Realtor.com.

Basically I see some distressed multifamily properties that would need rehabs, would like to buy them eventually, rent and hold them. Anyone have contractors they recommend from Worcester County, MA? Also looking into the San Antonio, TX area.

Any information is greatly appreciated and I look forward to meeting you guys down the road.

- Ryan