I believe using a local area code shows you are out scamming and are around the area plus it may give the owner assurance in knowing you know your stuff since you possibly live there.

No we screen our own.Here is our process.A search of court records to see what civil and criminal litigation the tenant may have been involved in and whether the tenant has disclosed thisAre you who you say you are.Do you and have you lived where you say you have lived.Do you have landlord references.Do you and have you worked where you say you have worked.Do you earn what you say you earn.Can we see your recent bank statements (reasonable redactions ok).Can we visit you in your current residence. 

In no particular order:-Visit your local REIA and start networking.

. =).For out of state investing newbies I have heard suggestions such as "at least visit the area for a few days" to "be there during the process for at least your first deal". 

I’ve learned more about real estate investing since I joined BP than I did my entire life before that.I highly recommend the podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/podcastAlso be sure to visit this page:http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereHappy networking!

I remember visiting a couple of his rehabs in Bath & Bristol & he managed to make a respectable profit.

I really want to buy a cabin or vacation home up there in the future, I always love getting to visit!

I owe you a visit

There are about a thousand threads on here talking about good, bad, and ugly turnkey companies I would suggest you start doing your own due diligence on the turnkey companies reading through all the forum post going to visit the ones you are interested and making your decision from that.

Yes @Joshua McCarthy usually you have to physically visit the office to get this information.