I would say that the value he brings is finding the deals, doing an initial diligence, having a local team set up for renovations/repairs/property management as well as knowledge of the neighborhood.

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

In our area 67% of tenants will move locally because of issues with maintenance - which are often issues with communication.  

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

With that in mind, my first idea was to buy a condo or a house in my local area (Palm Springs, CA) and use it as a long term rental. 

Based on the information that you shared, if you haven’t already done so, I recommend connecting with a local expert.

I also recommend a bank that has local branch that you can go into vs having it 100% online.

I'm with @Huong Luu but would add join a local REIA and find some PMLs they are always hanging out at meetings.

A realtor who understands the numbers can help analyze the property’s projected cash flow and ROI, plus they might know local leads from probate attorneys or even “drive for dollars” efforts that can reveal off market gems.

Facebook Groups, local meetups