The wider local region also seems to have a lot of tourist draw.

You could get a loan from a local bank or private lender to fund it

Going to start by checking into local REÍ meetups and talking to some friends and family that are doing what I’d like to.

I think you need to find a good local agent, network with investors(local meet ups, FB groups, etc) and learn more to dial in the gameplan. 

Start local.

Tho, when one really stands out from a typical local norm at a given time in that market, it may help me to gauge the overall truthiness of the seller/syndicator when it comes to their other claims.

How to Track Regulatory ChangesStaying up-to-date might seem daunting, but the right strategies and resources make it manageable.Key Resources:Local Government Websites: These often publish updates to zoning, rental, and housing codes.Real Estate Associations: Organizations like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) or local landlord associations offer regular updates and seminars.Newsletters and Blogs: Subscribe to reputable legal or real estate blogs for insights into upcoming changes.Professional Advisors: Build relationships with real estate attorneys and property management professionals who can provide guidance tailored to your market.Pro Tip: Set up Google Alerts for terms like “rental law changes” or “landlord regulations” in your area to receive real-time updates.3.

If you can invest locally, I'd recommend doing that before investing out of state.

Nevertheless I am local now and I have that real estate desire (which never went away).

Being a part of the local REIAs in both towns can help you understand more of what is going on.