They can also give you a better idea of how much you should be prepared to pay so you can cruise through your closing with confidence.And as you plan ahead for closing day, be sure to budget for your real estate agent’s professional service fee too, in case the seller doesn’t cover it.

Lots of local investors and professionals here in the DC area. 

Several questions that will allow financial professionals/planners to help you make an informed decision include: what are you paying in rent?

Michael,   A good book to purchase is "Professional Real Estate Development: The ULI guide to Business.   

Our reputation is too important and the professional offices certainly show that!

I also recommend you start looking for a professional property manager, at least until you educate yourself enough to run this solo.

In addition to tangible screening such as credit checks, evictions, criminal background, & income checks consider intangibles as well - how well do they communicate with you & how professional?

I would consider staying with your parents and investing in another market that stretches your dollar and covers the cost of a professional property manager.

As remote work is more and more common, many professionals look for a home there.

It's a new resource from BiggerPockets that helps you find reliable property management partnerships and gives you everything you need to make confident hiring decisions:-Expert Matching: Match with professionals who meet your criteria-Extra Assurance: See licenses, experience, ratings, reviews, and more that can be cross-checked with BiggerPockets members-Bonus Content: Plus they'll send you an interactive workbook: “How to Interview Property Management Companies”Hope this helps!