It seems you and your husband have the ability to make a property more desirable and I would try to stay local for the same reasons you listed. 

Connecting with local contractors or experienced investors in your area is also very helpful for getting accurate numbers.For ARV you’ll want to look at comps; You can start on Zillow or Realtor.com but I highly suggest connecting with a local agent.

I’m working with local investors who are snapping up everything they can get their hands on, and honestly, I can’t blame them.

I would get on the phone with a local lender through a local bank. 

I detailed LOCAL government will be on point.

Attend local builder associations or networking events, and focus on small contractors or businesses without in-house permit expertise.Highlight how you save time and ensure compliance—it’s a big value-add.

Also, they are local to me.

Whether you're a local or considering investing from out of state, I believe Albuquerque has some unique opportunities, but as always, there are factors to consider.1.

@Paul Whitney Detroit property values increased over 20% in 2024:https://detroitmi.gov/news/detroit-home-values-increased-ave...https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-home-prices-amo...https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/20...DM us if you'd like more info...

Even tried craigslist and local paper once.