Buy and hold investor from Long Island, NY

[Matthew Augustine]

     Just wanted to introduce myself to this great community, my name is Matt and i'm an aspiring real estate investor that's looking to leverage my salary from my full time job to expand my portfolio to real estate, namely buy and hold rental investments potentially in the long island area (not the best rental market) New Haven , CT market (still local) or , if i'm able to network appropriately , out of state more passive, managed properties in friendlier markets. 

     I've lurked on the site for a couple of months, researched for the past year, and ready to push through the "analysis paralysis" over the next few months to hopefully narrow down my direction and acquire my first property.