More important than identifying target areas is establishing relationship with a local investor-friendly professional who has personal experience in investing in Cleveland.

If you're just getting started, stay local.

Generally local agents have one purpose, to sell.

I would get back to local real estate investor meetups so you can connect with locals to the area and kind of get back in the game slowly that way.

Talk to your local building department for the codes they follow and requirement(s).

I'm new to real estate investing and looking to connect with local investor.Thank youWhat are specific goals? 

You will need their advice on your state & local laws to properly proceed.

However, if the owner lives in Cuyahoga County or a contiguous county, the owner may be listed as the local agent in charge.

What trends are local real estate investors in the Greater Nashville area currently seeing or interested in?

And don’t sleep on local banks or credit unions—they sometimes offer flexible portfolio loans that could work for a deal like this.Since your wife qualifies as a first-time homebuyer, check out any state-specific programs or HUD options for down payment assistance.