Explore out-of-state markets like the Midwest and Southeast, use local property managers, and join online investor groups.

Another good choice is Matthews, 25 minutes southeast of Uptown, which has a walkable downtown area with a small selection of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops.Traffic is something to keep in mind, as Charlotte is growing fast.

I currently own 92 multi-family rental units in Omaha Nebraska, mostly with partners and self-manage.

I am located in south east Texas.

One problem is that everyone wants to live in great places, so those places are inordinately expensive relative to income, but the places no one wants to live - Nebraska, or Iowa, or Columbus Ohio (just to tweak the Cabal!)

Why not buy new construction in the south east or mid west, and pay 100% cash (since you can still buy houses for 200-300K that are brand new in these areas)?

He has two performing parks already in Nebraska. 

.* Southeast Columbus: Dense suburban feel, popular with families and young professionals.* Old North Columbus: Urban-suburban mix, appealing to young professionals.In Dayton:* Patterson Park: Well-maintained with a strong community vibe.* Northridge Estates: Suburban area with various amenities, ideal for renters.* Walnut Hills: Quiet and community-oriented, great for rental stability.Areas to Approach with Caution:* Columbus: Some sections of Hilltop and Linden due to higher crime rates.* Dayton: Certain parts of West Dayton, which face economic challenges.Focusing on due diligence in these neighborhoods can help you identify stable, cash-flowing opportunities.

Looking forward to seeing how your experience shapes your next steps in long-term rentals in the Southeast!

Quote from @Tom Dean: Would appreciate any advice, I would like to invest somewhere in the southeastern quadarant of US (for example I'm open to somewhere like Missouri that isn't traditionally part of the "southeast"), looking for somewhere where I could acquire a SFH STR between $250k - 325k.