@Desiree BoardWhen deciding between investing locally or out of state, and whether to self-manage or hire a property manager, consider your goals, comfort level, and resources.

I’d recommend waiting till you have a cushion of some sort depending on your comfort level before you take the plunge and buy the second deal.

There's a few other exceptions such as a tax lawyer, but I find that a lot of folks find comfort in just having me respond to any notices that they might get.

Very easy to get pulled into a bad property or an area you’re not comfortable with by listening to the wrong people.

I feel like I’m missing the bigger picture of what makes a property a great investment opportunity.If anyone could share some pointers or insights on how to identify a “good deal,” I’d really appreciate it!

Easy living, comfortable furniture.

Just make sure the rental property’s cash flow comfortably covers the HELOC payments and other expenses.

Whether you need a CPA with just three rentals depends on the complexity of your situation and your comfort level with DIY tax prep.If things are pretty straightforward, you might be fine with tax software for now.

Additionally, it feels the most appropriate approach for both profiles I described above and allows me to focus on learning one strategy.

Your next local deal may feel somewhat similar in that regard.All the best!