Starting locally with multifamily and house flipping is a solid plan.

I recommend finding local meetups to attend. https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521I have found all of my best connections at local meetups.

As a newbie, I’d love to connect with local investors and agents to learn more about the area and refine my plan.

I am debating using my local lawyer vs. finding a lawyer in the state where the property is located.

Keep the loan local.  

Needs to be more inspiring and modern.

After debating local vs. or OOS, it seems like prudent advice to try to start locally with long term MF in so cal. 

I am really inspired by people who a take something that 95% of other investors would pass on and make it work exclusively for them through sheer will and creativity even with bad market conditions.

Last night, I heard an inspiring story about a mom who brought her young kids along for a 45-minute drive to tour an investment property.

I've lately been working on doing the same in Puerto Vallarta.I'm also working on putting a group of buyers together to do our own developments together with local associates.Have you invested in Mexico yourself?