I want to remain local in NJ or at most drive down 1hr to PA (self-manage or, last resort, hire a PM)However, I must also consider maintaining reserves, a safety net for my primary home, and an emergency fund.It's just hard for a new investor now :(

Focus on saving, building your credit, and connecting with local investors.

I financed this property using down payment funds from 403B and a local commercial bank. 15% down from personal funds. 85% down from community commercial bank. 3yr balloon, 20yr amortization, 7% interest rate.

I figured the PM would definitely be local to the area of the property and would need different PM's for each area, those were just the areas I'd like to invest in. 

That sure is a pretty looking bridge, I hope the local people find it to be a very useful thing.

Sec. 8 works well in some markets and it can be a premium and successful for locals who own a bunch of them and run them with an iron fist..

For any locals that come across this or virtual investors , what's a wholesale friendly title company you've worked with in St.

I’m a local realtor in Rochester and would love to connect.

Here’s why Oklahoma might be a great market for you:Affordability: Properties in OKC and Tulsa are often under $200K and offer strong rent-to-price ratios.Landlord-Friendly: Simple tenant laws make managing rentals easier.Growing Economy: Job growth in energy, tech, and aerospace fuels rental demand.How to Evaluate Deals:Run the Numbers: Ensure positive cash flow, check cap rates (6–10%), and use tools like the BiggerPockets calculators.Find Deals: Network with local wholesalers or agents, and look for value-add opportunities in stable neighborhoods like Edmond (OKC) or Broken Arrow (Tulsa).Let me know if you’d like tips on analyzing properties or finding deals!

I would like to speak with local investors, real estate agents, property managers, lenders, etc. from the area.