They aren’t so rare anymore.

So, do I find my own team and invest (at least to start) in North Jersey, or do I use my friend and his contacts and invest out of state?

So that leads to my next question...

If you discover the bill is higher than average, then you can investigate what's making it so high.

I'm struggling to find good tools/strategies/professionals to help ballpark the rehab costs so I can make a reasonable offer. 

Thanks so much!

They often don't do what I'd call "the best" inspections, if you know what I mean, but this is especially disconcerting because the home sits on a slab foundation.

Once I use the knowledge in a real life experience I know it’ll be there in my head to call on when I need it, and if I’m unsure about something I hit up google, biggerpockets, and/or someone in my network to get what I, or anyone else on my team needs. 

There are HELOANS - at that juncture, your best bet is to evaluate what is called the blended rate and compare that to an entire new first lien (cash out).

I live in Washington State where housing prices are pretty high and couldn't afford a rental property out here so I starting looking on Zillow for places that were more affordable and came across Dayton and the numbers seemed work out so thought I would try my first rental out.