Connecting with an investor-friendly agent in your chosen market is also a good idea.

As a newbie, I’d love to connect with local investors and agents to learn more about the area and refine my plan.

Managing from afar can be done on single family homes with a few properties, but you'll still need a solid leasing agent and handyman which can sometimes be hard to find. 

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I hired a CPA referred by a RE agent friend of mine, but he's been less than great.

For agents, this presents an opportunity to stand out by guiding buyers toward properties in these profitable neighborhoods, making you the go-to resource for savvy investors.If you're curious about how SB-9 can work in other parts of California, definitely check out It's Time to Invest in California, now!

@Jason Weidmann what do you think of every agent responding telling you to go, go, go!

I think you need to find a good local agent, network with investors(local meet ups, FB groups, etc) and learn more to dial in the gameplan. 

I would even call those agents and see if they know the finishes that were put into the property, if not ask if they can setup a call with that investor to see what they put in..

Your agent should be able to give you a clear answer on this.