We always recommend starting local when possible.

I drop them and use a competent local RE agent, who did a great job.   

Just started our own firm investing in and managing property in our relatively new (~5 years now) home in Charleston, SC.Happy to be a resource to anyone and look forward to making quality local connections!

However, especially if the investor is buying in an area they are not familiar with, they probably will not know the nuances of the local area. 

Hi Jerrell,  The best option for trying to get a HELOC on a property would be to check with local credit unions. 

Investors who are active in gathering data on local trends while working with knowledgeable agents are able to pick neighbourhoods poised for growth and also comprehend how to best mitigate their risks as they prepare to maximize their return.Myth 3: Distressed Properties Are in Bad LocationsAnother misconception is that distressed properties only exist in bad neighborhoods.

Using a local real estate lawyer is useful and cheap.

I'd ask for referrals, and reach out to some local folks and see what is working and not.Best of luck!

If you are willing to live in urban areas you may want to talk to a local bank in your market and see if they have any incentives or grant loans for certain areas.  

There isn't much I can add here except for the local expertise of the Boise area and our sister company property management team get these inquires often from tenants - so we have seen many ways how not to inquire about it and a few good ways haha.