I hope to buy something out there in the next few years as a vacation spot/ rental.

Brief description of my business and I, 10+ year sales and marketing professional along with a background of project management in the commercial construction industry.

You have landed in the right spot for all the information you will need to take action!

I'm very new to the real estate industry.

Nothing hardcore scary like Newark, but also not "New York pricey" like Hoboken or Jersey City.If nothing else, I'd fully explore all of these spots before taking the leap abroad!

Crowdfunding is harder with longer-term projects given the infancy of the industry right now.  

@Lance Korsun As flipping is your vehicle, the biggest components that require a plan are Marketing/Networking, Financing, and Contractors.Actively networking will generate opportunities to find deals and build relationships in the industry. 

@Andrew Herrig is spot on.  

I don't want to make my first contacts with this industry make me look like a complete dolt.  

So even though I live in York, PA, I'm originally from Baltimore, MD so I am interested in networking down there and learning as best as I can about the industry from people no matter where they are located.I've read that it is best to stay in your local market though since every county and state are different, I think you'll be best learning from out of town people but applying what you learn to the area that you plan on investing at.That's not to say that you can't invest without physically being there, but that's a side I haven't researched a lot myself at all.