Intel is a great example, who is building the largest chip manufacturing plant in the US right here, and it will be a $20 billion dollar investment that brings a few new thousand jobs.https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/01/21/intel-ohio-building-computer-chip-factories-licking-county-jersey-township/9173472002/ Another example of economic growth is the upcoming Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital which is a 1.9million square foot hospital that will bring over 800 new beds and a thousand new jobs. https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/new-osu-hospital-expected-to-transform-health-careHere are a few more recent investments https://www.10tv.com/article/money/business/hydrogen-power-company-hyperion-bringing-700-jobs-to-columbus/530-25907aab-5517-4661-a9f3-d2ed2d5be6b0 https://news.wosu.org/news/2022-02-08/rumpke-to-build-50-million-recycling-facility-in-columbus Check out The Complete Guide to the Columbus, Ohio Real Estate Market which goes through the Columbus, Ohio market in depth and will give you a better scope of where the highest levels of growth are taking place and where to look to invest. 

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Non-recourse lendershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/50272-list-of-non-recourse-lenders-for-self-directged-ira-and-401kSolo 401khttps://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/21298-solo-401k-advantagesSdira self directed ira https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/blog_posts/28450-real-estate-iraProhibited Transactionshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/44738-prohibited-transactions-for-a-self-directed-solo-401k-or-checkbook-iraDisqualified Personhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/47960-disqualified-person-in-a-self-directed-ira-or-401k

If you have any questions about your Real Estate journey, Feel free to reach out!!!  

To really reap the benefits of your ownership of the NY property over the years you'll want to sell and do a 1031 exchange whilch will allow you to reposition your real estate anywhere in the country and into any type of investment real estate --- without having to pay tax on the profit from your sale or the recapture of depreciation. 

Should I really just be leaning on a local real estate agent to help me with the local markets?

I am Mike Mattingly and together with my wife Sharon, are looking at beginning the adventure of real estate investing.

TBD Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

More on DSCR loans: DSCR loans won't use your income to underwrite the loan.DSCR loans are based off of down payment, credit score and either actual or market rents so it helps to supercharge an investor's real estate goals and net worth.

This is a technical question and could vary from state to state so you really need to discuss with a real estate lawyer from your state.