They have a note for sale that is in my geographic region and I think it would be a good fit for my first note.

@Tereal Wilsonn Apart from @Joel Owens excellent advice, I would also add that you should start talking to small MF lenders including brokers and regional banks.

@Bob Cirino, for reasons unknown to me, local Philadelphia banks consistently under-perform compared to regional or out-of-market lenders. 

I started off with a two family house hack in the Southeast region of Baltimore City.

Being from the northern California area (Sacramento region) it's difficult to find any deals with the money I have available.

I am looking for something in the Hamilton - Niagara region.

Each state has it's own norms, and within states there are even regional norms.

My boyfriend and I are newbies in the real estate investing world (we reside near the Coatesville - Chester county region), and he is actually considering getting his real estate license as leverage to getting our foot in the door. 

I'm currently working with Telco, but I don't get the impression they will be able to offer the full range of financing other bigger, but small regional banks probably can.Does anyone have experience with beginning and expanding a growing business relationship with a local bank or credit union? 

This will be a major factor in the region we relocate, but I will also be choosing the metropolitan area based on current and future real estate investment opportunities, the ability to match my investment style with the local market, tax implications, and the ability for me to lead the type of life that I want to live.