Plenty of houses in these neighborhoods are boarded up, and retail plazas are vacant.

It was purchased off market below retail.  

My sister lives in Lee’s Summit, so I’ll have family nearby to help navigate the local scene.

It takes a lot of phone calls and asking around, but you can normally find a local or regional bank that is willing to work with investors on these types of properties.Mike

You'll have a slight disadvantage compared to the local population, but nothing that should crush you.

.- Build Relationships with Vendors: Getting quotes from local contractors or vendors for common maintenance or repair tasks can give you a clearer picture of recurring costs.

Yes BofA is all over the country but if you go to your local branch it's pretty likely that loan officer and/or office wouldn't be licensed to operate in another state. 

Local banks and smaller credit unions are most aggressive in this space.

The Yale Law Journal article, "Zoned Out: How Zoning Law Undermines Family Law’s Functional Turn," highlights this issue, noting that while family law has evolved to recognize diverse family structures, zoning laws have lagged behind, potentially hindering innovative housing solutions like co-living.Challenges for Co-Living InvestorsFor real estate investors interested in co-living, these restrictive definitions can lead to:Legal Barriers: Difficulty obtaining permits or approvals for co-living spaces due to non-compliance with traditional family definitions in zoning codes.Operational Challenges: Potential fines or legal disputes arising from housing arrangements that don't conform to local zoning definitions of a household.Market Limitations: Reduced ability to meet the growing demand for affordable, shared housing solutions.Advocacy for ReformThe Bloomberg article, "Why Are Zoning Laws Defining What Constitutes a Family?"

 I am looking for any local investor's, property managers, and agents  down in SC.