@Rebecca Cho
hello and welcome. kudos for your specific and thoughtful post. i think you can be successful if you are willing to do what you alluded to, which is spend time in person in your chosen market. if that's buffalo, great. maybe you and your husband can trade off making trips there to build a network in person?
i also wouldn't rule out markets that are closer to you, even if they have a slightly higher price point. for example, you have the lehigh valley in PA just a couple hours away from you.
i'll also say this. BP creates the impression that if you're not buying, you're automatically in 'analysis paralysis.' i strongly disagree with this. when you're starting out, do you need, and are you likely to get, a life changing, home run deal on your first buy? no, of course not. but, should you buy a money pit and lose thousands or tens of thousands of dollars? also... no.
i hope this helps. i'm happy to answer any questions you have. i have an LTR portfolio in 3 states including CT and PA. i'm looking for my next BRRRR and keep getting outbid. but i'm not bending my criteria just to "do a deal."
