With the help of this great network my wife and I were able to start our OOS investing career at the close of 2017 and we are very blessed and thankful to say that we currently have 5 units under our belt and are in the midst of acquiring 2 more before the close of this year with the amazing growth that we gained from our first unit which we are in the process of doing a cash out Refi on.Alot of people here in the Bay Area think that OOS investing is crazy, that I'm out of my mind and that you can never grow wealth this way and that you should invest here in the Bay and blah blah blah so it was very difficult to learn and go at this alone until I found this beautiful network of good folks doing it everyday!

If you don't want to pay that then perhaps look at vacancy rates, new construction coming in the future and population/job growth in the area. 

For example, I could ask them whether a potential property is worth investing in based on their knowledge of rent prices, growth, and crime in the area.Also, I know many investors don't recommend management companies.

@Roy Oliphant I will be interested in counties with the right investment dynamics of population, employment and growth prospects.

Long-term population growth of at least 50% of the national average (preferably more)3.

How's the rental market and the job growth in that area.

I have been looking at different places to invest.I am looking for advice on the best tool to use to help with appreciation, job growth, etc that would help me.I have looked at a few tools, like zillow, trulia (to look at sold properties) but I was looking for more historical data on appreciation.Any advice would be appreciated!

Some cities have seen unit growth of 30%-50%.

The growth from there down to San Antonio was noticeable and I imagine it's booming now. 

You need to take a close look at the maturing nature of NBHs, direction of growth, past zoning changes is an indication of what may be on the City Planner's top secret mapping of future city growth.