I practice real estate in Bakersfield and most of my clients are investors. 

If you decide to buy local yes you can use an FHA loan on anything that is 1-4 units so long as you live in it.If you decided to go out of state to build your empire here are some best practices I think all newer investors looking out of state need to know.It's not really that complicated to buy out of state.

It doesn't cash flow but I just about hit even each month, while gaining equity and making improvements along the way... which is way better than throwing money into rent!

Disclaimer: While I’m an attorney licensed to practice in PA, I’m not your attorney.

I bought my first house for myself in 1997, and paid $50,000 less than the neighbors on either side with similar homes,  put every cent I could lay my hands on into updating and improving it, and seven years later sold it for more than double what I paid for it.

Thus far I have read a few books, practiced analyzing properties, scoured Zillow, Craigslist & the MLS, spent hours on BP and secured a HELOC.

There is the Raiders practice facility, Costco, new shopping centers,etc.. and extension of Las Vegas Blvd going up nearby.. 

Being so new, I have a lot to learn and continually improvements to be made.

There are different practices though, with some passing it back to you.  

Since this is a diverse community that spends a lot of time with self-improvement-y books/podcasts/etc, I thought some of you might have some ideas.