I myself am a contractor and have been investing  Omaha Nebraska the market is great and the city is growing and property cost is affordable with good profit I moved hear from Chicago.  

On the other hand, I have had people who frustrated me, but I knew I was in for a full rehab when they finally moved, so I kept encouraging them to stay (and told the truth to prospective new landlords!)

Super affordable; great way to get your feet wet.

Properties are very affordable with high yield.

Most people new to the biz and cant afford them platforms.

Wanted to make sure it meets the 1% rule and I can afford to buy a house there (which I can't where I live- the boston market is insane and Incouldnt find a property that met the 1% rule with only minor rehab within an hour away).2.  

The best I can come up with is: start now, buy a fixer-upper house that you can reasonably afford, and join Bigger Pockets.

@JaNae Anderson  Vallejo is a very affordable place to invest along with other areas along 80 going towards sac... if your going to hire contractors do it there so you can watch them.. your not going to get any deals that are that much better or cheaper than Vallejo...

Memphis, Milwaukee, Michigan and many other places provide you properties that are affordable, excellent value and within a cheap plane flight as well.

NOt work on it for 10 days waste your time and especially contractors looking at deals that can't close.I know its frustrating. and out on the east coast were title I susually done at the end of the transactions I make them run it day one.. you should see the stares I get back.. ( hey why are you doing that ) for the exact same reason you just stated.I had my first resi deal in Calistoga cira 1975 and worked on that got ready to close 45 days into only to find out same circumstance you did.. now talk about a  bumbed out rookie 18 YO agent ..