Another option might be to develop raw land into housing in certain areas but I really want to cut my teeth in some flips before I go that route.  

@Christy Harris  pretty much how we handle closings out our way... its rare as hen's teeth that the buyer and seller are at the same closing together.. even if they live in town. 

No money no credit and no training its not reasonable for a person to think they can just step into RE and make big money and have all the things they Deserve.These Guru's all use the same marketing companies and these marketing companies cut their Teeth in MLM..How many people have gone to an MLM meeting be it ACN 5 links, Amway etc.

But about as rare as hen's teeth.

Or are we better off gritting our teeth and staying where we are while saving/investing to build some reserves first? 

I shaved  brushed my teeth.. and I took the Tesla to the do it yourself car was and cleaned it head to tow. 

I just pulled teeth to get as much rent as I could out of them and still came up $600 short at the end.

Find out what the standard is, but MORE IMPORTANTLY ON CC&R's, do they have any teeth?

Housing is more fun than teeth!

Believe it or not most AHJ's when push comes to shove, have some 'teeth' and legally can compell/coerce you into quite a bit of things, when they want to.Out of area investing probably is not appealing.Moving is probably not appealing.What's your land like?