On the surface, it might seem cheaper to hire a PM company, but when you factor in vacancies, maintenance, and under-market rents, you’ll likely come out ahead by managing it yourself.I used to work for a local investor with 500+ units, all in one town.

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. 

I’m primarily using local channels for towns.

My goal is to build a strong network, exchange insights, and work with professionals in the local market.

Highly suggest checking out the local meetup events:  https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...What are your goals for 2025?

Learning to manage locally is trial by fire. 

Looking for a local connection with experience or network within construction management field that has done a development deal or know someone that has.

Quote from @Edward Barrett: New investor here trying to stay in my local market (Dayton, OH).Since I've started looking for my first deal I've come across a few section 8 properties that seem to pencil, but I'm a bit loath to jump into that kind of deal.

When considering single-family homes (SFH) or small multifamily properties, it’s important to analyze rental demand, local property values, and rental rates to ensure you’re getting strong cash flow potential.

Find a local REIA group and network, locally with experienced investors.