Should I Buy an Investment Property in Another State?

[Gabriella Cerda]

I should mention that the state that I would be buying in, is a state that I will be moving to within 1.5 years. 

I am an amateur investor and currently using as many resources that I have available to learn as much as I can, as fast as I can. I have a lot of family members who are experienced with investment properties but I want to venture out on my own (at least in the beginning) so I can truly understand the in's and out's. I don't want to rely on anyone's advice and I want to make sound decisions for myself and my future. 

I currently live in North Carolina but I want to buy my first property out in Texas (near the Dallas area). I plan on living on this property for the first year because my current income wouldn't support buying my first investment property and my first home. Plus, I recently learned about "House Hacking" and this sounds very enticing for a first-time buyer. I am very interested in duplexes, triplexes, or even a complex with more than three doors. 

My question to you is do you think it would be a good idea to buy my first investment property/first home BEFORE I move to the state? 

Thanks!