Repeating this in new markets usually means starting with a trusted local agent or property manager and asking them to introduce you to vetted lenders, contractors, inspectors, and insurance providers.

Not to mention how expensive that would get having an "inspector".

Looking to avoid home inspectors that do minimum standards of practice and's will check every single detail.

If I move forward, I plan to hire a top-tier inspector and specifically flag the basement work as a concern.

What's a full-blown home inspector cost in the market?

And if you know anyone in the town hall, building inspector, water dept etc, my phone is ringing and I'm getting E-mails, the hard part is tracking down the owner!!

When I first started investing, I was living in Portland and buying in Columbus, and I learned pretty quickly that you don’t need to be there in person if you have a reliable handyman, inspector, and someone who can put eyes on the property for you when needed.

Next steps: get pre-approved, set firm investment criteria (price, cash flow, cap rate, neighborhood deal-breakers), build a local team (agent, inspector, property manager, contractor), run real rent comps and conservative rehab budgets, start touring deals (or have your agent/video tour), and practice underwriting 5–10 deals so you can pull the trigger quickly; aim to buy the first one once your numbers, reserves, and team line up.

While you hunt, tour 2–4 unit deals to sharpen reps, line up a local attorney, inspector, and PM, and be ready to move when a clean T12 and inspection match your numbers.

The risk is getting the work done well enough and to code so when the buyers building inspector walks it, there isn't a list of 50 things to still do.