You can consider being an investor friendly agent and buying rentals along the way.

As an investor and agent here in Columbus Ohio, if you have any questions or want to connect, definitely reach out! 

Your boyfriend can be listed as an alternate contact or agent for the landlord, but they should not be listed as the landlord because they have no legal rights to the property.

I look through a variety of channels - MLS feeds, LoopNet, tips from brokers/agents, reaching out to PMs, asking if their owners want to sell and finally direct mail.

As an active investor and agent in New York and New Jersey - let me say, I've "seen this movie" before. 2001 - 9/11 - New York is dead2008 - Global Financial Crisis - New York is dead2020 - COVID - New York is deadWell, turns out New York came back each and every time.

I am a licensed agent since 2002 and work in the Staten Island, NY area along with Brooklyn. 

Sounds like you're working with an agent, no worries, happy to still advise. 

You may learn the ropes without taking on undue danger by starting small.Make connections with experts, agents, and investors in the area for real estate.

We read everywhere: You need to have a good team in the area you are investing (Real Estate agent, property manager, project manager/ contractor (if you do any rehabs).

I also do a meetup every Thursday but we are currently doing it virtually and we actually contact agents that have properties for sale so it's an 'active lead gen' type of meet up.