It seems there is a great discrepancy over whether it is smarter to stay local or not for your first rental investment. 

Hey Ricky,I don't invest in Ontario so I can't comment on the specific local markets BUT, there will not be a lot of opportunities to buy distressed properties in Canada.

HUDuser.org is great for vacancy rates, but cross-referencing with local market reports is important for more context.For job diversity and employers, LinkedIn or regional economic development websites often provide insights.

I am new to real estate investing and looking to connect with any local investor.

Attend local meetups, analyze at least five deals per week, and connect with investor-friendly agents to position yourself for success.

This was a local buyer.  

House hacking locally is typically going to be the least risky way to get started, even if it is more expensive of a property.

@Diana Mulvihill A lot will depend on your local market and competition.

I love the flexibility they offer for traveling professionals, military families, or folks in between moves.My main questions:Have you noticed increased demand for midterm rentals in this area, particularly from military personnel at nearby bases or healthcare workers at local hospitals?

Finding a potential lot won’t be hard but getting a local municipality to give you the green light to build an MHP is going to be next to impossible.