Central Jersey and want to buy my first property

[Frank Martinez]

I'm 44 and been wanting to get into real estate investing for awhile now.  I live in central Jersey and have $14,000 saved.  I have a w2 job and my wife also has a w2 job.   I was looking into flipping houses to make more/quick money to build my capital but, the houses are too expensive here in new jersey. Looking to start small and then build up to get better properties.  I have 1 friends that also want to do the same.  We've talked about partnership to look for a houses to flip or to keep as rentals.  I've also looked out of state but, I'm sacred of not living close to the property if something happens and or getting scammed by management company or contractors.