I hear that self storage rentals are very popular and profitable. 

If you do this you don't have to worry about tracking the security deposit and you also get that money up front if early issues arise.

This is actually a popular way folks get into real estate investing and it's a great idea. 

I agree with the quoted answer from Chris except for one thing: in Pennsylvania, it is customary for the BUYER to select the title company - as I understand it, the reasoning being that the buyer incurs most of the costs that arise from the title company.

In no particular order I have listed some of the most popular markets for out of state investorsCleveland, OhioCincinnati, OhioDayton, OhioToledo, OhioYoungstown, OhioCincinnati, OhioMemphis, TennesseeBirmingham, AlabamaKansas City, MissouriSaint Louis, MissouriIndianapolis, IndianaDetroit, MichiganErie, PennsylvaniaLouisville, KentuckyMilwaukee, WisconsinJackson, MississippiEach of these markets is popular with turnkey investors because of the low barrier to entry, high rental demand & high rent to price ratio.

But I got in with one this month.Also house hacking is very popular these days.

All the most popular ones are, but just be sure.

Room by Room rentals are quite popular in the area now due to the decrease in affordability.

- All the popular websites (Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Loopnet, etc....)- County Auctions (both live and online via the upcoming schedule of homes to be auctioned)- Tax records to see how much homes I've been following actually sold for.

Another nondescript commercial strip nearby has a coffee roaster & that's proved very popular so a bake shop next door was a natural addition.