My local area has high property tax and makes me wonder about PA as an alternative. 

Stay disciplined and avoid rushing into deals without thorough due diligence.Resources for InvestorsIf you’re new to investing in distressed properties or looking to expand your portfolio, consider leveraging resources like:Local Realtors: Realtors specializing in distressed properties can assist in locating off-market deals and navigating complex transactions.Community Forums: Attend a local investor meetup or join online forums for the Phoenix market.Educational Tools: Search out webinars, workshops, or courses on investing in distressed properties.Final ThoughtsThe distressed property market in Phoenix is creating some excellent potential for the right investors willing to go the extra mile necessary to take on strategic risks associated with this category of real estate.

A friend of mine and I went to meet him at a local golf course and then we talked more about the opportunity over lunch.

I say start there, exhaust your local efforts before jumping toward "shiny things" and unknown markets, persons etc.. 

-Local banks were the best.

Quote from @Gregory Schwartz: A local agent recently got sued for calling an old client who was on the Do Not Call list.

Texas law has certain requirements, as I'd assume most all states do.Do you have any links to the type of locks you have used for the front door, back door and door leading to the garage?

Proc. 2002-69, 2002-2 C.B. 831, for special rules applicable to husband and wife state law entities in community property states.

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

Quote from @Gregory Wilson: A few things there, Brendan.First, an LLC with you as a member and your (wife, son, pal, etc.) partner as a 1% member will file a Form 1065 which is about one tenth as likely to be audited by the IRS as a Form 1040 with a Schedule E rental activity (which I presume you will attempt to show is an active business).Second, you want an LLC because when your local Alabama handyman drives his girlfriend's uninsured truck into a van load of U of A medical school interns on I-22 when he goes  to get some shingles for your roof, on your business, you don't lose everything you have or ever will have to an uninsured claim.