New Investor, South West of Pittsburgh PA

[Brian Lesko]

Hi everyone.

I have been studying real estate for several years on and off.  I've read several books, listened to podcasts, youtube, etc.  I'm finally ready to look for and purchase my first deal in my area.  I have a preapproval for 100K.  I'd like to buy my first single family in my zip code (15057).  I've been trying to learn as much as I can about my area.  It looks like single family near me are renting for around 700 to 1000 a month.  (at least in the price range I am looking at).  If anyone has any tips or advice as to how I should move forward it would be greatly appreciated.  What should I be looking for?  How much to allocate toward and what types of improvements to make?  Writing up lease agreements?  Any local contractors, realtors, banks, property management firms, background check businesses that I should know about?  Thanks everyone for reading.