If you don't fall within that category a knowledgeable local real estate agent can be an excellent resource.

If you’re interested in investing here, I’d encourage you to speak with a knowledgeable local real estate professional or lender to get accurate guidance.

You can check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), your state’s department of business oversight, or your local real estate community.5.

Local CPI for this period is 3.6% so max increase in 8.6%. 

BUT they then ran the local grocery stores and some retail stores out of biz.

In 2022 the rents increased 12.1% year over year which was the 3rd highest in the entire country per https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/02/14/cleveland-rent-prices.

Read as much material as possible and go to some local RE meet ups.

We're working with a mortgage broker local to us and he has put us in contact with Lendbase as well.

This deal was sourced off market by my real estate agent(recommended by bigger pocket),  seller uses a LLC to sign contract, I later found out online that LLC was owned by an real estate agent who seems to work for the same real estate broker as my agent, I don't know how well they know each other,  the mortgage broker I use is recommend by my real estate agent, the lender is a local bank in ohio. when I review my appraisal,  mortgage broker seems to know the seller ... 

If you like it, connect with people around the area (like property managers, local popular agencies, and also investors!)