For starters, you should spend some time looking at the property listings.

How do I educate and reach the young(ish) professionals on the value proposition of these kind of "starter homes" to build equity, learn property management and save a ton of money relative to single unit purchases? 

That changed the whole area its now all condo's of course not starter housing but it worked to transform an area. 

For starters, you are using a fake name, you have been asked about it multiple times and are not answering the question.You just posted the following___This is in direct conflict with what you posted below.

Friend of a friend with a portfolio of 30+ homes was contacted by them to basically sell his portfolio to them in exchange for shares. that would be a HUGE non starter for me..

Maybe it isn't easy for starters I guess. 

The Elgin area is the perfect place to start your journey, it's a very successful starter area for investors. 

Sounds like I'll need to get set up with OneKey and StreetEasy for starters. 

Combine those facts and it seems logical families will opt to continue renting in the city longer in lieu of perhaps buying a starter home and they grow out of the apartment style housing units.

For starters, I partnered with a bad wholesaler/contractor on remodeling a duplex in Indianapolis.