I'm a local real estate broker, investor, and manager (100+ rentals, mostly Airbnb/STR and multifamily).House hacking is a tried-and-true method and in Sacramento you can produce some meaningful income while enjoying the appreciation and tax benefits of owning real estate.

*Local Eyes – By collaborating with experienced realtors, contractors, and inspectors, you can source hidden gems and dodge expensive mistakesThe Renovation ProcessThe secret to fix-and-flip success lies in renovations that help maximize the value of the home without breaking the bank.

As for finding a contractor, asking local investors for recommendations is a great start.

We're working with a mortgage broker local to us and he has put us in contact with Lendbase as well.

Since you're open to markets beyond NYC, you might want to connect with local investor meetups or REI groups in those areas to build relationships with agents, wholesalers, and lenders who understand the nuances of each market.If you're looking to break out of analysis paralysis, maybe start by narrowing down one or two target markets and running numbers on actual deals.

Before you commit I would talk to banks, probably local banks are better than regional or national. 

I say start there, exhaust your local efforts before jumping toward "shiny things" and unknown markets, persons etc.. 

I’m also interested in connecting with local investors, real estate agents, and lenders who are open to collaborating on new opportunities.

Detroit requires strong local relationships to navigate things like neighborhood nuances and property management effectively.

Are you local to the property?