Go to BUILD YOUR TEAM at the top of the screen and look for local investors or meetups in your area.

It will be fun, we'll have drinks and meet at a local vacation rental-this is a great way to learn more if you are interested in this type of investment.  

can you invest locally instead?  

I would simply get away from any large bank and go to a small local community bank that will cherish your deposit relationship..

Just a tip: make sure you go into it with an experienced brokerage who really know their way around.I’ve personally been helping international investors get into the Dubai scene and work with experienced local companies that handle everything from start to finish. 

We teach how to find those so here are some ways:ProbatesTired LandlordsVacation HomesExpired off of the MLSPre-Foreclosuresand so onand they are often located by mailings, cold calls, door knocking, "Bandit" signs, word of mouth, Local REIA meetings

Included with the offer is a bank statement showing the buyer has $127k in liquid cash sitting in a checking account at a local bank.  4.

The median rent is projected to continue its slight upward trend, reflecting the broader housing market dynamics​​.Key InsightsPrice Growth: Anticipated 9.3% increase in home prices over the next year.Inventory Increase: Slow rise in inventory levels, still favoring sellers.Buyer Demand: Strong out-of-state interest and local job growth driving demand.Mortgage Rates: Expected stabilization, potentially easing affordability issues.Rental Market: Stable with slight monthly rent increases.Overall, the Birmingham real estate market is poised for continued growth, with rising property values, strong demand, and improving inventory levels.

If you like the house and the area and want to live there and its habitable, go ahead and try to get a plain vanilla conventional loan from the local credit union and mortgage broker. 

I am risk averse and if I were to purchase, I would tear down to the studs and do a full rehab {this would include getting rid of asbestos shingles and insulation).1) I have done a ton of research and it appears as if getting rid of asbestos is very DIY able assuming you spend money on the safety equipment and use it properly.