You don't have the benefit of maximizing cost segregation, long term capital gain, 1031 exchange, refinancing / lending, passive income vs regular income, etc.  3. 

Elmo area but can't find much info online about where I can buy and operate. 

The use predictive analytics to determine who might sell, they create social ads and online marketing to target them, and they get clicks. 90-95% of these appointments are really for investors because they are built around sell your house quickly and then an agent shows up and tries to list it.

@Donte Brame there's the RI Real Estate Investor Group that meets twice monthly, usually the first Thursday of the month online for anyone, and the third Thursday in-person for members in Warwick.

We do have a meeting with a local broker/real estate agent next week but thought it would be best to jump on line and take a look at some local properties and if nothing else practice our valuation process.

If you plan on refinancing it in the short/long term, perhaps taking the higher rate and take the $2300 so you can re-allocate the money on your repairs or closing costs for the refinance.

Also, local real estate agents can also be a goldmine for off-market deals since they often hear about them before anyone else.As for property management, researching and looking at online reviews are a good start, but a real insider tip?

Keep saving, learning about the BRRRR strategy, and start networking with local investors or online groups.

They have monthly online and in person meetings for new investors and landlords.

Check out other online guides available here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides3.