Hey Casey!
The first thing to do is identify the type of investment strategy that you would like to follow. Are you looking for something that will have the highest COC return on day one, or are you looking for something that might have a little bit less cash flow on day one but provide for a higher return in the future?
Once you have figured out which strategy you would like to follow I think it is best to then pick the market you would like to invest in. There are many markets in the South East and Midwest that provide plenty of investment opportunities to investors. We personally invest in the Memphis Metropolitan Area. This is due to the good cash flow, stable appreciation, and how landlord-friendly both TN and MS are.
The next step would be to look at reputable Turnkey companies and Property management companies in that area and find a team of Rockstars to help you invest out of state.
I would be happy to discuss investing out of state with you!