I would also look at some of our college towns like Marshall, Mankato, eau Claire, etc. if you go nationwide, then check out my recent blog.

Does the MLS give you access to properties only in the state where the real estate agent operates or is it nationwide?

Casey, It is legal nationwide to wholesale however make sure to get all purchase agreements/assignment contracts reviewed by a local attorney to ensure you have the proper verbiage & contingencies.

@Etan Frankel although the government has a hard deadline of April 20th, 2018 to establish designated opportunity zones nation-wide, the investments wont happen for a short period afterwards while the IRS works on designating qualifications for the certification of an Opportunity Zone Fund.As soon as the certifications have been designated and the flood gates for applications are opened, i am sure you will begin to see many Opportunity Fund's pop up that would be eager to participate in the investment.

Nationwide study of the premium for homes with solar back in 2014.

@Wardell Hall FHLB has announce down payment assistance program starting again nationwide.

You can look for someone who specializes in selling that product but they will most likely be a Farmers or Nationwide agent that has access to quote with those carriers. 

Go to local Real Estate meetups, join a mastermind group nationwide, or go to a conference and find people.

This community is amazing and nationwide multifamily real estate investing is what I do all day ;-)BTW, you may or may not already be practicing this strategy but save your time driving to places you probably won't buy anyway.

I hire an agent, even though I am in the top 1% of agents nation wide.