:) A good agent will meet up with you for a few hours, and along with educating you on the entire buying process (financing, contracts, inspections, what to expect in negotiations, etc) they will also be able to guide you by running comps and telling you if the home is priced well, as well as discovering any issues preventing the property from selling (liens, disputes)...Not sure about CA and AZ, But I have a buddy who renovated his dental office without pulling permits, and when the city found out, they made him literally gut it and redo it with permits.I would urge you having some conversations with agents in your area. interview a couple, and they should guide you in the right direction.

What some pitfalls you've experienced that now you are diligent in your hiring process?  

Is that an easy process to do or are there any helpful tips I should know? 

However, I think the prices in California will cause us to invest out of state and we will just have to learn how to set up the right systems and processes to deal with issues as they come up.

We are currently in the process of selling a house then plan to start hunting.

I’m just getting started with my real estate journey and right now I’m in the process of buying my first rental property.

Out-of-Town Buyers: I understand the unique needs of buyers looking to relocate or invest in Northern Michigan from afar as I personally went through the process when we moved to Traverse City in 2017.

The process can be frustrating if you don't stay on top of your file, but in the end it was totally worth it.

DSCR loans will also work in this way - but more of the focus may be on the property itself - but your personal credit may be pulled in the process. 

If you're setting up a C-Corp for the lending process that's fine.