My main recommendation is to join meetups so you can connect with like minded people!

The guys above already mentioned it, but floodlight recommended from me as well.

I recommend reading the book, "Real Estate by the Numbers" by J Scott and Dave Meyer to get a better idea of what this looks like.

Do you have any recommendations for a legal attorney in the area?

It's great to have you here.Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/m...Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/a...Read Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/r...Check out BP Money Podcast: https://www.biggerpockets.com/..Wishing you the best!

I recommend that you attend local REI networking groups and meetups to connect with fellow real estate investors.

It's great to have you here.Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/m...Set up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/a...Read Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/r...Wishing you the best!

@Eric McginnI would only recommend it if you are ok with also having a strong chance you will have to foreclose at a later date on the borrower and go through that process .

As far as reaching out of state investors for the deals, would you just recommend posting to forums from other localities as well?

I would also recommend doing a pre move- in inspection with the tenant, as well as taking pictures of the property, that they will sign off on- so you are both on the same page of the initial property condition- so if there is damage when they move out, they can't say "that was there when I moved in" because you will have proof.