Hi Brian and welcome to the club.
Don't let distance discourage you from looking at a plane you may want to purchase. There are many in this group that have bought their planes from long distance using the help of other club members from the area the plane is located in.
Ron speaks the truth. (Well, at least in the part I quoted...) I found a 150M in Indiana, and we live in northern New York state. Club members looked at the airplane for me on their own time (thanks again Bob Kaeser!) and ferried it home to me (Grant Garvey, you’re a really cool dude. Thanks, man.) My point is that VA to NE is almost a local airplane purchase, so jump on it if you’re ready! Best type club anywhere, right here.