Obviously, if you were to go out of state make sure your point of contact/realtor/broker understands the real estate investment mentality and that your PM comes with a high reputation of referrals. 

Mental Toughness makes all the difference..

Its been really a really huge mental shift for me in terms of understanding my personal finances, although in reality its just a slight change in behavior.

I live in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago that houses the University of Chicago, where there are plenty of students, staff, and faculty migrating into the neighborhood every year.

Use HD or Lowes coupons at HD whenever you have them.I don't think I am at the level of "professional" yet, so I understand your "hobbyist" mentality.

I've heard women have better faculties for discerning odors than men do.

When I started flipping I did 100% of the work myself, no contractors, but I did not value my time and in the end was not financially rewarded for my time.When I do flips now my decisions are base on the "time is money" mentality.

It has everything to do with our economy, salaries for the lower income bracket, and a renters mentality.

Your labor is in your mental welfare, making sure your investment is safe.

It's definitely possible if you have an abundance mentality.