Quote from @Stuart Udis: 99.9% of investors who are chasing the 1% rule are solely focused on cash flow and spend no time whatsoever analyzing markets based on fundamentals.I agree, BUT 95% of investors aren't interested in analyzing markets as they invest local to where they live!

By private money, Im assuming you mean local people lending out their IRA funds and personal funds.

Michael - while there may be great local CPAs, you can open up your pool of CPAs that can help you by working remotely.

I was not finding viable local fix-n-flip candidates in my area and I had read a book from BiggerPockets on out of state property fix-n-flips. 

Been getting nowhere with zoning laws found online and in the local library for Yonkers (in westchester county) as to whether any permits are needed in order to operate such a business. 

I would go to the big bus tour events in Irvine CA. what was happening was there was a turnkey operator that was allowed to offer their product at the end of the Seminar ..

I think this is the first step so they can know who has the lead pipes before they pass a local ordinance to require the replacement at the property owner's expense.It's a "first registration, then confiscation", of sorts.

Then determine if a long distance property is better or a local house hack.

I’m going to consult a local financial planner but thought I’d ask the brilliant minds at BP as well.

I would add that you should definitely checkout some local real estate meetups as that's the best way to quickly build a buyer's list.