Having Trouble Identifying Markets

[Charles Mitchell]

Good morning fellow Investors!

My names Charles, I've been silently browsing BP for a little while now and have decided to start getting involved! I'm a want to be first-time investor and am struggling with identifying a potential market. I'm currently living in NYC working as an agent and have to stay here for work so FHA is not quite doable. I've been researching areas close to Cleveland and they seem promising, but I can't help but feel like Cleveland is a bit oversaturated in investors right now and that I'm late to the party. I'm comfortable with investing 20k on my first project, maybe a bit more if need be but I'm trying to be fiscally smart here and stick to my plan so that right around where I feel safe.

I'm a bit nervous investing in a property that's more than a 2-hour car ride away from where I live now. Is this a bad idea for my first investment? I'd like to BRRR but wouldn't it be smarter to find something a little more turnkey if I'm so far away? Being new, what are the best ways to identify new markets? I feel like I'm missing out on some key tools.

Thanks for any and all help in advance!