@Brian Dickerson I chose Rochester because it was the closest market that had decent prices on the housing stock, I found it quite convenient to be able to drive there (about 5 hour drive which I find not too bad).

Let's say you drive for Uber, dog sit, hustle with other jobs and are able save and pay off the credit card in a year.

Just did the drive from DC (and the guy is correct about VA police all the way down 81). 

My question is, is it a better strategy to hire an agent to find a great deal, use online resources such as zillow or trulia, or perhaps seek out off market properties via driving for dollars/etc.?

You don't have to stay, but go there and drive around for a couple of days.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/...The 2 big pieces are ADR and occupancy which drives your overall revenue and then limiting Op ex just like any other business. 

Stay warm and drive safely out there this weekend!

I’ve been driving for dollars and trying to calculate offers.

If you find a GC to work with consistently there's a chance that you can streamline procedures and drive down cost organically

You could have just as easily had to drive out to watch  your kid up at a baseball game or slipped or cut your hand and had to go to the ER for half the day or a host of over life hAppenings .