@Mary Baccellieri I am in a similar situation as you, I live in Austin TX and this market is crazy expensive. Not quite as bad as NYC but pretty close :) I spent at least 3 months researching different markets and got tired of reading and not taking action. I decided on Birmingham AL and just started reading every thread in the subforum for that market. I made a list of each realtor/PM/insurance agent that was referred the most by the people in the threads and started making calls. It only took me about a month to purchase my first property through a wholesaler and we are working on getting it rehabbed and put on the market in the next few weeks. I got really lucky so far, am definitely happy with all of the contacts I have made so far. I flew there last week to meet the PM and look at the property and spent about 3 days doing nothing but driving around the neighborhoods. I still have a long way to go though. BUT, Im happy with how things have turned out so far.