@Matt McConkey, I'm very familiar with the area as I grew up right near there.

I grew up in the area and my parents owned a few units when I was growing up, so I have some idea of how the market works, but I would appreciate any advice I can get from anyone with experience investing in smaller, rural markets.

I'm not local but grew up in Kansas and have some friends active in the area.

I just know that the homes in the area range from between 300-700k; I actually grew up in the area and my mother still resides about 3 minutes from the land.

Hey @Jeremy McVicar, welcome to the site brother, I grew up in Jacksonville and chose to invest there as well.

Grew up in Glen Ellyn, great town - glad you found your way to BiggerPockets - it's worth signing up for the PRO level to use the built in calculators (under Tools).

@William Collins, I grew up in Manchester.

I've done multiple single family homes in Texas which is where i grew up but I now live in Washington.

I can't speak on how demo is done in certain states but from what I could tell you being a license contractor here in NY and you being in NJ which should not be much difference is do the following steps.1- have them demo and take everything plumbing and electric.2- the only scrap metal you should keep is copper, but also negotiate with the demo grew to reduce some cost if they want the copper, all other scrap metals are not word it.3- has for the electric, just have them leave you 2 plugs because that's all you need until you update all your electrical. mostly all power tools are cordless so I doubt you will blow a fuse and you don't need any light because you work will be done during the day.ALSO NOTE: do not have anybody mess/touch/remove with any electrical panel or any electrical box, leave that for a license electrician to do because thats a big safety issue that could bring a lawsuit if a non-license electrician gets any injury for attempting to do so.

My husband grew up in Conroe, not too far from Spring.