I'm new to real estate investing and looking to connect with any local investor.

This deal came through Partner Driven's local network in Windsor, NC.

I am a local realtor in the Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk area and would love to help out if you need any assistance.

Hi Isaiah, I am based in Fort Lauderdale and can speak to the local market directly.  

It definitely won’t hurt our local market.

Find a local one.  

We recently relocated to Phoenix last summer and I'm starting to look for recommendations for local credit unions here in Phoenix which are trustworthy, low rates, personal touch, easy/simple to work with, etc. 

Reaching out to local agents?

I've also signed up for New Orleans REI meet ups in the upcoming weeks in hopes of making valuable connections in the local market. 

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.