I’ve realized I need additional help—someone local, like an assistant.Here’s my idea: I was thinking of purchasing a small piece of property and putting something modest on it, like a single-wide home or a similar small structure.

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

When you go from a single family to a Duplex, it becomes "comercial" property and according to (Michigan) the local building dept, I had to hire contractors. 

With careful planning and local insights, Richmond can be a solid addition to your investment portfolio.Good luck!

You should be able to find local builders that will finance the construction component of your new build, however! 

What’s required for success in this is deep knowledge of real estate in general and the area in particular; experience in real estate and the local laws, etc.; and capital to pay for options, marketing, legal counsel, accounting, tax advise, etc.  

I would recommend looking for local FB investor groups, most areas have them!

Focus on smaller single-family homes, condos with low HOA fees, or multi-family properties in these regions, and build a reliable local team of agents, property managers, and other professionals to ensure a smooth investing experience.

The solution could be a creative financing solution such as a total or partial private note, an assumption of the note or LLC, a speciality or local lender, or any combination thereof. 

I have been trying to get a distressed/value add LTR property under contract in my local market for some time now.