Are there any current active investors in that area who can share their experience of that area and what kind of rents they are fetching?

Less than 50% residential will usually fault you back to someone who is local and knows the area.

Qualified home energy raters/assessors must be trained and certified as one of the following:Building Performance Institute Building Analyst ProfessionalBuilding Performance Institute Home Energy Professional Energy AuditorResidential Energy Services Network Home Energy Rater; orenergy rater, assessor or auditor who meets local or state jurisdictional requirements for conducting residential energy audits or assessments, including training, certification, licensure, and insurance requirements.How Much of an Energy Package can Be Financed?

It looks like this guy still has an active and current podcast running and website.

Otherwise check out construction financing with a local lender or credit union. 

I'm happy to learn a new skill set and would love to join some local groups.Thank you all in advance for any input!

If you can't see the property in person, pay an experienced local investor $100 or so (someone unbiased, not your agent or turnkey company) to walk it and do a detailed video tour. 

In our case, we make purchase money loans toward local flips, and I argue that deferred payments make our loans safer.

James gives very specific advice with active deals you have working and really is just an all around wealth of Knowledge. we were on a zoom call and an investor was at a potential project.

Paul as a local, but wouldn't recommend it for someone investing out of state.