I drove to Trenton, Albany, Poughkeepsie, Port Richmond, Burlington (NJ) over several months just to get some boots on the ground info and vibe.My investing strategy was simple.

I am already SEMI-RETIRED because my police retirement covers all my monthly expenses, and work in the real estate space because I have a passion for the business and make good money doing it.Because of my business and flexibility, I will be the ASSET MANAGER of properties we acquire and can travel to other markets if/when necessary, go build relationships with boots on the grounds in markets and put a lot of focus into our investment business and goals.

Learning to invest OOS which requires "boots on the ground" (stars) to succeed.

It makes it a smoother transaction and they have boots on the ground versus writing the offer myself, or in your case, your western state agent writing the offer, scheduling inspections, etc from states away... 

We have also seen an increase in multigenerational housing - parents living with kids and vice versa to combat high housing costs and to save once they are ready to purchase.Inventory for multifamily is on the lower side, especially in SL county.

I'll help you combat that issue you are describing.  

Its not a zip code I would start my investing career in, especially from out of town, and its really a place you need to have boots on the ground block by block.  

That way you could avoid carrying a large interest bill during construction to boot. 

The second one had uncooperative/combative tenants in the property and you had to buy sight unseen on the interior and with the tenants in place.

I'll be doing the marketing and he will be the boots on the ground.