Really getting to know a neighborhood or county?

[Crystal Huffman]

I am looking at different markets and can analyze the data from that standpoint... but what do you guys do about boots on the ground when your are purchasing out of your area?

How do you get the more personal details about a neighborhood or county? 

[Tony Hibler]

Quote from @Crystal Huffman:

I am looking at different markets and can analyze the data from that standpoint... but what do you guys do about boots on the ground when your are purchasing out of your area?

How do you get the more personal details about a neighborhood or county? 

 Hi @Crystal Huffman - When I was buying my first home in Cave Creek, AZ from Connecticut I first made a 10 day trip out to AZ, stayed in a couple VRBOs in the neighborhoods I thought I would like.  That gave me enough information/experience to be dangerous. :)  I started working with a realtor and keep my eye on Zillow.  I was able to relate every potential house back to time I spent over those 10 days.

One of the neighborhoods I thought I was going to love turned out to be a major dud..so happy I tried the area out.

I had my realtor go see the houses and FaceTime me when performing the walk through.

I picked a house and came back out to AZ during the inspection period to make sure I was good with the house.

It's a big investment...my advice is spend $4-5K on travel, have fun while your looking at houses, and then make sure you are 100% happy with the home during your due diligence period.  

Talk to a lot of realtors, pick one you like.  If you are going to rent the home out...maybe find a property manager to help you out as well.

Good luck!