Specifically, there's job growth (Intel, Honda, Amazon, Nationwide, etc) and the population is growing (unlike Cleveland or Cincy).

I would recommend highlighting a specific area and then getting in touch with the local REI group.

Quote from @Jayne Segman: Thank you. can you tell me what I should search for in the counties website specifically.   

Here is what I'm taking for reserves (outside of location specific expenses like home insurance, utilties, taxes etc.)- 10% for future property management -10% for vacancy-10% for CapEx-5% for repairs and maintenance-5% for lawn and grounds keeping-0.5% of purchase price for PMI based on my credit score For a house hack, is this too conservative?

I learned that I like newer builds, they weren't overly hard to put tenants in, but i did learn that I need to budget more for landscaping up front if its a newly built home.Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Initial budget $250-600k +- Please advice if it's seems like an ok plan in your opinion (preferably if you have personal experience). 

For this first property, I can't really think of anything specific I would have done differently.

I am reaching out for guidance and assistance as I embark on my journey into real estate investing, specifically focusing on rehabilitating and renting properties.

My goal is to purchase MF/MU in NYC with the $700k out of the $800 so at 40% down my budget would be $1.75M. 

Most algorithms aren't set exact or specific.