They’ll have insight into the local market and can help prevent you from buying a deal that looks good on paper but isn’t ideal. 3. 

Thoroughly analyze properties and locations to identify opportunities that align with your investment criteria.

Got to local REIA meetings or use Facebook.  

Paid a top local esigner to come have a look and all she did was insult our cute little place that was doing just fine.....But I think where a designer could add value is by suggesting unique areas, like game rooms, coffee bars, outdoor BBQ/play areas, and stuff like that. 

Hoping to find a local community to get involved with, maybe through Bigger Pockets. 

You could start with your agent or a local agent who supports investors and could have contacts to refer to you.Lastly, you could consider negotiating with a local PM to take on a hybrid approach to management.  

@Greg ReeseMost small investors will benefit by having the LLC created in the state where the property is located at.Creating an LLC in a state like Nevada, Delaware, Wyoming may be better for the big players if items such as charging orders, business friendly case law, anonymity are important to you.However, be mindful that setting up LLC's in those states will add to your costs as you may have increased annual fees for annual LLC fees + registered agent fees.

Hi there, I have linked the PM locator tool produced by NARPM which is an excellent place to start!

your comment around "approvals will be easy to get" gives me pays if you've not done this type of project before, I understand your logic, and I don't know your local municipality but it always seems to me that no matter how easy we think a project or approval is going to be, something always comes up.

The seller would have to be paying us to take the property if we wanted to make that amount.We make use of the tools here on BP to help frame out a deal as well as using our knowledge of the local market to gauge what a property will be worth renovated.