However, especially if the investor is buying in an area they are not familiar with, they probably will not know the nuances of the local area. 

Hi Daniel, Columbus GA has properties much lower in price than the metro Atlanta area, you should do fine to learn your local market.

I would echo this, it is a great REIA and the best place to find local, like-minded individuals and resources. 

Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

You can even connect with local HR teams and offer small referral bonuses to get more bookings.

Would love to be a resource for you here locally in Jacksonville!

If you want to only do PM I'd recommend just looking on LinkedIn, or Indeed and applying for local apartment communities.  

Quote from @Gregory Wilson: A few things there, Brendan.First, an LLC with you as a member and your (wife, son, pal, etc.) partner as a 1% member will file a Form 1065 which is about one tenth as likely to be audited by the IRS as a Form 1040 with a Schedule E rental activity (which I presume you will attempt to show is an active business).Second, you want an LLC because when your local Alabama handyman drives his girlfriend's uninsured truck into a van load of U of A medical school interns on I-22 when he goes  to get some shingles for your roof, on your business, you don't lose everything you have or ever will have to an uninsured claim. 

Johnny, sometimes the best lenders aren’t local.

Ensure the property’s price aligns with market trends, and work with a local realtor to help with due diligence and negotiation.Good luck!