Where I live the requirements are essentially 2 exits, ny state energy code for insulation (R21 or better) and it must be able to stay above 68 in the winter.

Understand the demand, rental growth potential, and economic factors in the area.

I mentioned to him that I wanted to get started with investing via wholesaling and after some chatting, he brought up his willingness to be a paid mentor for me to get my first deal.He said he would teach me Real Estate Economics, investor psychology, and how to find and build the right product/deal for an investorHe charges $150 a call if I book a batch of calls or $195 a call if I book one at a time.

Reno makes sense from a tax and insurance and economic growth perspective and also proximity to family but it's not a place I've fallen in love with despite spending two weeks there (one week last winter and one week more recently in the summer).

Is there not strong economic growth in this area? 

I would rather have Remax manage my property and concentrate my energy on finding my next deal.

It is the masses who do not have a basic understanding of economics.  

Economics on both probably didn't make sense. 

To perk your situational awareness and switch you to economically enabled I need you to read Read the 2015 NAR Danger Report.  

The question is do you want to spend the time energy and money to find something that you think can do better?