Your local REIA is always the best place to start, in my opinion.

Know good agents,  property managers. contractor that can walk the property.Etc.I’ll be investing locally in the Phoenix Arizona area. 

Do you do it yourself or you have a local manager?

In your particular case, I would consult with a local eviction attorney to get their take on the local laws and regulations.Nonetheless if a tenant tried to pull this on me, I probably wouldn't want them as a long term tenant in the future.

James - I am local to Ventura County and have helped multiple folks with VA Loan assumptions.I search the MLS for listings with FHA or VA loans.

Make sure the title company is familiar with all the local and state laws and regulations. 

When it comes to wisely investing our hard-earned money, it's important to consider the data, seek advice from locals, or even visit the location in person.The cost of living in Jackson, TN is 4% lower than the state average and 14% lower than the national average.

3) Check out some of the local meetups that you can find in this forum!

Know your local laws and the federal laws.

As an individual, it is hard to open an efficient, responsible, profitable out of state network because as an individual you do not provide that much value for an agent or a contractor to run around and cater to you.But when you are part of a group that closed on over 4 million in real estate in six months and brought in over one million in local rehab dollars and put 50+ people to work and paid the city inspection office for all the permits, inspections, and reports then people cater you to.