Local to my primary residence.

I normally invite locals to the meetups.

Also important is being able to find a reliable property manager in the area.I'd love to hear from local investors – am I looking at the right areas?

Lets call that the :( side.2) And there is the happy side... passive income (syndications, passive partnerships ie medical/dentist offices) and passive losses (depreciation, bonus depreciation via cost segregations common in syndications).

He is a with a smaller local bank here in DFW. 

I recommend you give your local auction house a call to verify.

Zoning codes vary by area so I would check the local zoonning codes and call the permitting office to see if it has a use and occupnacy permit for a SFH. 

@Brendan Simpkins I am local to Nashville and happy to refer you to the CPA I use along with a couple others in town! 

Educate yourself on the local market, network with other investors and agents, and always have a solid plan in place before making any investments.

What is the general climate of the local government torwards short term rentals and do you see this attitude shifting?