no questions are stupid. so they say. but here's mine.

[Alfonso Velazquez]

hey guys,

   I was wondering and scouring the internet. i live in a market where it almost impossible for a newbie to start in, Staten island, NY. my fellow islanders know what Im talking about. As a result i am looking out side my area to find properties to buy and rehab, also some rentals properties. 

    i guess my question is, other than calling agents, who i might add aren't that much of a help, how else do you guys find your sweet spot, areas that are selling, when you don't live in the area. I know a rehab will be hard to handle from a distance, my max distance will be up to 2 hours, but i want to get in a property already but want to be some what sure of the area. 

thanks guys for all your responses ahead of time. 

[David Semer]

@Alfonso Velazquez 

If you looking for properties outside of your local market and your local REI group does not have any people to help.

1. What type of investment am I looking for. example single family or Multi family. 

2. Start looking for REI in those areas I want to be investing in that also have the type of property I are looking for. There you can find investors or wholesalers that may have properties for you. Or even Investors friendly agents.

For Example I am in Monmouth County. Not many local REI groups here.

I go to a REI group an Hour away in North Jersey i will be getting investors from Bergen/Passaic/ Sometimes even into NY Westchester area.

I will then go an 1 or hour half south Jersey I will be meeting with investors either in Atlantic County or Mercer County (Trenton) or even into Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Area.  I also continue to meet local people that have apartment properties in Jersey City.  

I been to a meetup in NYC and met people who invested in Queens/Bronx/CT 

So for me I would let the different meetup work for me. Talk to everybody you meet and tell them what you what you are looking for. 

I am sure you will at least get something to look at to help you decide if the area is for you or not.  

Hope this helps.  Happy investing.