However, I made the decision when interest rate was lower and there was support for an appreciating real estate market.

@Jim LynchSome typical minimum tenant screening requirements look like the following, but it depends on your market:-Renter has a gross monthly income of 3x more than the monthly rent-Minimum credit score of 650-Renter must have no prior evictions-No felons (or other notable criminal history)There are a number of different tenant screening softwares out there such as Zillow Rental Manager, TransUnion SmartMove, etc.Be sure to complete an employment verification by contacting the renter's employer and confirm the details they shared with you, landlord verification (if they have a previous landlord), credit check, and background check.

Section 8 vouchers pay up to fair market rent.

Business Growth: As I’m focusing on multifamily, industrial, and retail assets, any advice on how to position my company to stand out in a competitive market?

You’d buy an off-market, distressed property, fix it up, rent it out, refinance it, collect your money from the refinance, and repeat the process.

(You said you could purchase them $20-$15,000 below market value. 

I’m planning to move what I have in stock market ($2.5-3Mil) to buy a good realestate.

When I worked with a property management company, we had someone buy a unit (single family) that had a STR and marketed it as a STR.

I have met a few folks recently who are active in that market and I am planning on following up and seeing what their experience has been.

You have many people who say midwest markets are now appreciation markets, but I disagree with that statement.