See where the local drivers are - the large employers, the retail centers, and more than anything, the good schools.  

But you need to get into the driver's seat.Let your tenant know that paying rent late is not an option.

What are the local "drivers" (http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortages-real...)Do the numbers . .  

Can I do this and qualify for an FHA without changing my driver's license from NY to CT?

That will drive re-submission. 

Driver around all the streets and look for vacant houses.

I was able to fix an oven that wouldn't light in about 20 minutes, the igniter was only $50 and the only tools I needed were a screw driver and a pair of pliers. 

Hello my name is Matthew. i found BiggerPockets years ago and have been interested in real estate since i was in high school. i made excuses and let life get in the way for many years.....bad decision seeing i wasted all that time. fast forward to now i am married and have an almost 2 year old son ( wow he grew up so fast). right now i have a decent job with a very caring company but it just isnt enough. though i can save some i wont be able to provide the life for my family i feel that i should. i have been rebuilding my credit for the past 18 months. now is the time for change, yesterday was the time for change I WILL GO DOWN THE PATH TO A BETTER FUTURE. i have listened to almost all the biggerpockets podcasts, read/listened to many books, i am a delivery driver on nantucket island so i listen to audiobooks and podcasts all day while working. i have been started looking for deals but still having a little difficulty analyzing deals. currently i live on cape cod Massachusetts and commute to nantucket everyday. i use the hour long ferry ride each way to search for deals. i have alway been interested in owning enough multi-family homes and apartments to supplement my income. i am currently away from home and my family 14 hours a day, sleep 6 to 7 hours which leaves me spread pretty thin. i am grateful for such a wonderful community that is biggerpockets for coming together and sharing, teaching, helping and building one another. now that i have kind of ramble on i will get back to the point. i am interested in the BRRR strategy particularly with multifamilies 3 units and up. i would also love to learn how to analyze deals better so i can either wholesale them to or partner with other investors. i am not opposed to investing out of state but dont have a team formed yet either in or out of state. i have been all over the country and live in oregon, arizona, north carolina, maine, new hampshire, maine, alaska, and now massachusetts it is great to be here, i appreciate you all and cant wait to know you betterMatthew Hudson

I figured then I would be in the driver's seat in the negotiations.

**I should add, Its not easy driving around in a suburban market at 20km/h without one neighborhood watch and insecure resident calling the cops on you, but its fun once they learn the driver is a woman.