Even facebook might have some good local groups for you.

HUD, Fair housing, State Government, Local city councils, it's overwhelming. 

If you need to be local to NJ I would stay and reap the benefits of massive rent increases along with huge appreciation. 

@Alexander Merritt   IMHO low end rentals are only suitable for local investors that are in the landlord business and are going to scale up and own as many as they can get 100's have your own PM and maintenance and that's the ONLY way in my mind that stuff will work over any amount of time.buy the best that you can if your just starting out.

Looking to connect with local OOS investors in the area. 

You seem pumped up to do this, but do it first at a local meetup (in terms of connecting with people) or else you are just going to get a bunch of people trying to sell you services or on how good they are.

Yes I was told in our local real estate investment group that most contractors will charge $500 if any permits need to be pulled.

Attend local real estate investment meetups, join online forums, and seek advice from experienced investors.

And the cycle continues until you have spent thousands of dollars for information that you could get from the local library or Biggerpockets for free.

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