Consulting for out of state investors

[Vince Lucas]

I was wondering if any oos/out of state investors hire a real estate expert/consultant in the area they are looking to investor or do they spend months trying to learn the market by themselves or do they work with a real estate agent that might be just trying to sell them a property? Seems to me that a small amount of money up front could save $1,000s and make sure they know the values for that asset type in the area they want to invest in (A,B,C or D areas). I have not seen many people offer this service (at least in the cleveland area),

[Ryan Evans]

I do a lot of what you're talking about in Cleveland in a very informal sense. I'm always talking/meeting with other investors looking at the area to give opinions, do walkthroughs, rehab estimates, and impartial opinions on properties. I've helped a few get stabilized as well. Sometimes for a fee, sometimes for a partnership opportunity. It's easy to make a win-win in real estate, so you can be pretty creative. 

Earlier this year I moved to the area specifically to be able to spend more time on the ground since everything is just easier. Seems everyone else needs that kind of resource as well since so many wholesalers, brokers, PM's, contractors, etc., will tell the out of state people whatever they want to hear to get a deal done.