After analyzing a handful of properties I am already seeing that this preference is making it hard to find a property that meets my other criteria (location, flood zone, price, etc). 

I had to go with the sellers to a city council meeting for the conditional use permit, and about 10 minutes on the phone when I was going for the extention, for a total of about an hour and a half, and it has been a great investment.

There are so many great resources on this site, so keep learning:Attend local REIA meetings and connect with like-minded investors: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetRead the Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingListen to the BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/

I’m looking forward to meeting people and learning how to succeed with my new business. 

I am currently working overseas, do you have a virtual meet up?

I would love to meet with some people so I can really learn the business.

Anybody aware of any REI meet ups around the Cincinnati area in the near future?

Hope to see you there.NICIA.org Main Monthly Meeting 6:30p-9:00p Indiana Wesleyan University 8415 Georgia St Merrillville, IN 46410

One cannot depend entirely on the realtor to know all the details; they are the sales agent, not the business partner.I've met many investors who say the master lease is the tool to use but I have not tried.Last month at a meet up, I found a man who vacationed annually in the Keys at an illegal VRBO.  

Not exactly sure where you're at in your journey, but some things I would recommend are:Read Brandon Turner's book on Rental Property Investing https://www.biggerpockets.com/store/rental-investing-digitalRead David Greene's book on long distance investing https://www.biggerpockets.com/store/long-distance-real-estate-investing-ebookListen to the BP Real Estate podcast https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcastListen to the BP money podcast https://www.biggerpockets.com/moneyshowAttend your local REIA meetings to networkStart analyzing deals to get practice running the numbersKeep engaging on the BP forums and make connections!