It is such a large market that values can fluctuate wildly, depending on location.I would become familiar with the city, select some areas to concentrate, and learn the values of what has traded past 90-180 days, since there may not be a lot if activity.

This certainly is an active community.  

Do you have any other recommendations on how to find active real estate investors? 

But, as long as you plan to grow, it may be worth having that relationship in place so you're not scrambling later when your REI activities have picked up.Hope that helps!

I'm a 35 year old professional that travels a lot for work, but still actively wants to invest in RE. 

My initial goal is to help relieve the housing shortage burden for communities by thinking big and building more affordable housing.  

Not sure how active the app Nextdoor is in the area you are going to, but around me that has been where i have found some good tradesmen.   

If I am going to hold it for a long time, then probably get a new roof.Rent: the rent process was more stressful than I thought.

Even better, get some self employment activity and sponsor a solo 401k then no UBIT on leveraged real estate!   

SFR is active.