I second all that has been said above - all of those folks referenced have been really helpful to me and have added lots of value to so many BP community members, especially in our local marketplace.

It seems you and your husband have the ability to make a property more desirable and I would try to stay local for the same reasons you listed. 

As a beginner investor based in the Seattle metro area, I'm eager to learn from your experiences and share my journey as I get started in this field.My current strategy is to focus on live-and-flip for the first three deals (looking for my second deal) to gain hands-on experience while building equity and learning the ins and outs of renovation and the local market. 

I'm also hopeful to get some local cooperation now that he's claiming partnerships with local government. 

Nonetheless, it was made possible by a local credit union.

I’ve built strong relationships with local agents and other investors in the Hamptons, which helped me discover this off-market property.

Call every local investor agenda (look at the agents that have investment property listings and call them) and call every local landlord that owns multiple properties (you can get lists off of Deal Machine).

Lower the qualifications.Real estate is extremely local.

If the tenant fails to provide proof, I would reach out to a local attorney about handling the lease violation appropriately, especially since Texas has specific landlord-tenant laws.

It forced me to reach out to developers, to engineers dozens of local builders and most important like minded individuals.