You'll have to learn a new market, build a new support team and pay someone to manage all of that because it is so far away.

Standalone brick and mortars like compass are the ones that are burning through money and taking it from the agent and customer it is very hard for compass to survive in those environment, as company like as big as amazon or apple move to hybrid work environment, the compass failed to grasp the spirit hence their transaction cost is so high.

I do think the rental market is ok, but I have found that a lot of NJ investors just look out as far as the prices drop.There are a lot of cool towns with better rental opportunities likely a little closer to you, but it depends what you can spend and what your goal is.

As far as the builders responsibility- that's up for debate.

Hi @John ThomasAs far as investing out of state/out of your market:This website is a good starting point for figuring out areas for in-state and out of state investors.

But you can always tell if someone has put th time and energy in to push it as far as they could on their own before they ask for help.

As far as getting a contractor to walk the property , yes they will , you just have to open your wallet 

This is so I can be looking at my next market, to see what a good deal would.

And she will continue like this until she either sells her book  or retires... but she loves it.. and of course I certainly enjoy the fact that she is so good at this. 

I spent $25k on renovating my house after renting it for 15 years so theirs nothing unsual here as far as real estate capital investments go.