Any recommendations of a good realtor who understands the needs of an out-of-state investor who works the Lorain area of OH would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

friends who moved into Dormont so that seems to be an area on the rise.  

I recently helped a friend who was in a similar position - looking to tap into equity for a rental property purchase in Phoenix.

I have friends that own property in Costa Rica.  

Besides a declining population and tenant-friendly laws, you have to deal with the fact that neighborhoods can be as small as a city block in many cases.

Just google the following: - special assessment - zombie condos - Florida condos (look for recent news)Since you are not living near the properties anyways, why not look in a landlord friendly state where the purchase prices are lower?

Try being an agent, your phone number is EVERYWHERE and you get targeted by a whole industry that wants to sell you the latest gimmick.Here is what helped me.I answer calls and when it's a telemarketer I will interrupt them and say very friendly (because I don't hate the poor person who gets paid to do this and coached to be ruthless): Hey, so glad you called, can you do me a big favor? 

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52724-im-new-to-investing-how-do-i-find-an-investor-friendly-agent

Low taxes, low crime, low homelessness, friendly people, all 4 seasons, etc!

We have rented the long term unit to family friends for over a year and the bills were always reasonable.