Keeping your STR local would be the best case.

Local relationships with INVESTORS and SYNDICATORS. 

Great credit, great W2 income, I am local so I am well aware of the market here. 

Quote from @Lee Banks: Hi my name is Lee I'm looking too buy my first rental property and but I feel as if I need a mentor to watch, I still need to learn the basics of real-estate does anyone in New York do programs or mentorships and where would you start if you first started real-estate today  Hello Lee,I'd recommend looking up local meetups here on BP, meetup.com and, eventbrite.You can also call around to speak with RE investors and professionals in your target market to begin making connections.With so much available information online, I'd recommend speaking to a few people and doing independent research before committing to mentorships.

One suggestion to consider as I mainly do BRRRRs as well- find a local bank or credit union in the area you plan to buy that offers construction loans.

For the longest time, I almost always bought locally. 

Quote from @Clayton Silva: Quote from @Jeffrey Blackman: Quote from @Clayton Silva: 2nd position HELOCS on investment properties are typically capped at 70% LTV and have rates ranging from 9-11% just a heads up unless you use a local credit union where you have cash on deposit with them. 

I'm a local realtor and would love to connect and chat about the local market.

Can you do this where you are or do you need to look out of your local area? 

They are usually looking at C or D properties that local agents tell them will “cash flow“ They usually don’t cash flow because of high maintenance and vacancy.