This is because plaintiffs attorneys first objective is to take inventory of who has insurance.

How much rent can you get in a market and does it meet your Return on Investment objectives should be the most important part of your evaluation.if you do a Google search you'll find lots of articles on the best markets to invest in.  

I would like to expand into real estate to further that objective but my primary motivation is that I'm bored with my W2 job and need a bigger challenge.

In my experience, generally the party paying for the title insurance gets to choose the title/closing agent, unless there a reason for the other party to object. 

I agree with Rhett that you really need to look at cashflow as your primary objective and consider any appreciation as a bonus.

However, ideally if we started both with the understanding that collaborations and building the right team in conjunction for planning for our larger future and objectives we'd get to the "freedom" that we are all actually chasing via RE that much faster. 

I’m in the Syracuse ny area It’s important to figure out your goals and objectives, and then that will ultimately give you a few areas that you can narrow it down to.

I was able to ask my long list of Bigger Pockets crafted interview questions and he answered them all to satisfaction without hesitation or objection.

Local knowledge might be helpful, particularly when thinking about niche markets.Expert Advice: Considering the intricacy of your circumstances, consulting a financial adviser or a real estate specialist can offer tailored recommendations based on your unique objectives and position.Remember that every real estate decision should align with your long-term goals and risk tolerance.

One useful resource for networking and education is BiggerPockets.Make sure your investing objectives are clear.