When buying notes, they typically will not be in your backyard, so like any long distance investing you need to pick a couple markets and get intimately familiar with them. 

Start looking at properties now, pick a few locations and learn everythIng there is to know about the locations you chose.

@Andrew PflegerThere's been multiple threads about goal setting, and I'm picking up you're in that mindset where you're thinking about units. 

I agee with @Dennis M.SN: I have a friend with a 1970 SX Conv.....and another friend that just picked up a 70 or 71 SX conv the other day.....

I've managed to get a hold of two more engineers who are accepting new work and will hopefully get one out so I can pick their brain a bit.

A growing portion of our business is helping OOS investors pick up turnkey rentals here in Cleveland  and I always tell them the best first investment they can make is a plane ticket.I would be really carefully buying rentals from companies that will go on to manage the property, because they can then profit from upcoming maintenance that they left undisclosed.

I do real estate part time and mostly for myself and our own investments but have time now before the holiday season picks up and would be happy to help you find a place.  

Picking or even advertising for someone who is new and wants to become a project manager or someone working toward qualifying for their GC license might be a good candidate .

You cant just pick any property to buy and rent.

@Lamar HickleyDoesn't really matter when you jump into the market.When it's a buyer's market there are easy pickings, you'll have more competition from new investors, but it will be easier to make things happen.