Newbie from California looking into long distance investing

[Christina Ng]

Hi, I'm from CA and new to BP/ real estate investing. I own a primary home in CA and am looking to do out of state investing to generate cash flow/ create long term wealth.

I've been reading up on all the amazing content and I've narrowed down to Pocatello, ID as the target location. I prefer single family but am also open to multi family. 

1. Any thoughts on Pokie as an investment target location?
2. Does anyone have recommendations for trustworthy real estate agents who are familiar with out of state real estate investors?
3. Are there any specific zip codes that I should consider and/or avoid in Pokie? 
4. I've narrowed down property management companies to ANR and Five Stars. I found them based on recommendations from this forum, but they were a little dated. Any recent recommendations / testimonials for these companies?

If you're familiar with the area/ have invested in the area and are willing to share any tips/ mentorship, I would love to connect with you! 

Thank you!

Christina

[Don Spafford]

@Christina Ng There is basically one zip code for Pocatello. I have properties in Chubbuck, which is basically North Pocatello. As mentioned by @Shirley Richey a lot of the new development and growth is happening on the North side. So depending on what your needs are, you can maybe pay a bit higher for newer, more desirable properties in nice neighborhoods, or spend less for some older properties that will likely require more maintenance and not as high caliber tenants. Some of those old properties the sellers want way more than they are worth and more than makes sense knowing the amount that will need to be put into them. Are you looking for single family, small multi, or large multi? I really can't speak for other PM companies, most in general are not great. I do know that ANR manages two 4 plexes right next to mine and the reason I still self manage mine, besides being easy to do, is that ANR is not willing to rent them for what I rent them for. I get $850/unit easily, while the buildings next door, similar to mine they only rent for $650-700 because it is easier for them to rent quickly. Even though I told them how much I am renting them for, they would still only market them for the lower amount. For that reason I will not use them, for me that shows that they do not hold the needs of the owner in high regard. I know there are some other PMs here on BP you can search for who may also be able to help.