California attorneys just want you to LLC locally and pay thru the nose the california franchise fee of $800 per LLC per year. 

In my local MLS, they would be listed in the 2-5 unit category. 

local REIA groups are filled with investors looking to buy properties.

When I had located this particular duplex I contacted a local agent to represent me on the acquisition.

Hey Ricky,I don't invest in Ontario so I can't comment on the specific local markets BUT, there will not be a lot of opportunities to buy distressed properties in Canada.

Also, check local zoning and park rules to ensure flexibility with different housing types.

I am not sure if I should stay local to my market.

Unfortunately, 99% of BiggerPockets posters who are not local to Philadelphia and choose to invest in Philadelphia invest in the lowest tier neighborhoods, just as they do in most other distant markets where they invest because they are lured in by the inexpensive cost of housing. 

I’m open to brokerage inquiries and excited to contribute my skills to the local market.What I'm Looking For:I'm actively seeking "live and flip" opportunities to kickstart my real estate portfolio in Arizona.

That’s the magic of real estate compounding over time, and it’s stories like yours that really highlight this.. from what i read in the street journal, that slow build often outperforms shorter-term stategies.From an investor-friendly agent’s perspective, being willing to dig into the neighborhoods (driving for dollars) and having a robust network.. from probate attorneys to local contractors.. can pay off big.