@Jonathan Giglio depends on your strategy. You can go outside your market. There's nothing stopping you from doing that. Pursue off-market deals. Network with agents and wholesalers, start learning to pull niche lists and most importantly, set it and forget it...be consistent in your efforts and the magic happens. I guarantee it!
If it was easy, everyone will be doing it. What's your why?
Goodluck brother. Don't be discouraged...be encouraged and excited for what you will experience.
Also, learn creative financing and how to apply it. Sometimes you could take over payments, sometimes you could have seller finance, sometimes you can lease purchase and use them to your advantage. You must be able to pivot in this market.
Those investors you spoke with doesn't really mean anything...because if you apply a good strategy, it works..all the time. Not easy but it works. Get great at sourcing deals...enough calculations...get on the phone and TTP lol
My 2 cents