Investing While Moving to Another State

[Justin Allison]

My wife and I are planning to move to Orlando, Florida at the end of the year. We currently own a 2-unit multifamily home in Providence, Rhode Island. We want to keep this house as a rental property and buy a new property in the greater Orlando area. Currently, we manage the property in RI ourselves but are considering hiring a property manager (or company) to assist us in managing this rental property (e.g., finding renters, maintaining units...etc.).

Here are my questions for everyone:

1) For those who have been in a similar situation or own a property in another state, should we get a property manager or just hire contractors as needed for issues? For those in the Providence area, what person/company do you use and/or recommend for property management?

2) What are some steps that we can take now to get the process started for finding deals in the greater Orlando area? Does anyone have recommendations for real estate agents who specialize in investments/buy and hold properties? We are looking for a 3bed, 2bath home in the Orlando/Winter Park/Oviedo areas that can eventually become a rental property - so any leads would also be appreciated.