I am not in North Carolina, but I am in 11 other markets and would be happy to chat to answer any questions.

Since you're focusing on Dayton and Cincinnati, you'll find plenty of opportunities in those markets.

@Nick ConnorsIt’s great that you’re using your savings to invest early, and Columbus could be a solid market given your familiarity.

@Blake Johnson If investors want to divide real estate holdings without triggering a large tax bill, the biggest challenge is that transferring assets out of a corporation is typically treated as a taxable sale at fair market value.

But to date, I've just set my rents at a rate that accounts for me having to pay the water bill - and informed the residents that each year I'll increase the rent based upon my expenses (including water), so keeping the bill down helps me to help them.But one problem this could cause is if increasing the rent to cover the water bill then places your rent above the market rate.

- Will they search for off-market properties for you?

A portion of rent goes to the purchase price which is on the top end of market value. 

The high appreciation market will be the higher cash flow market over the hold.  

Goal would be to acquire 20 rentals by the age of retirement, with some already starting to be paid off.I am in the same boat as you, and I focus on safe appreciation all day (small cash flow for safety and then focused on markets on that appreciate). 

@Ella Marie, I can't speak on behalf of your market, but in my respective market, competition is tough, and the successful fix-and-flip vendors are often full-time operating businesses.