Increase income, decrease DTI, and buy a home (i.e., get a higher paying job, work two jobs, go to trade school, get a higher paying degree, live in affordable area, etc...these are things that most of us did).

Home price appreciation is still trending up, but cashflowing rentals are difficult to find for the most part.

Please extend an invitation to your tenants to visit me in my home (1925 block/stucco construction - a dang bunker for all practical purposes)...footsteps bother them? 

The latter means you can also do an inspection of the home and see how things are.

Many DSCR programs require an investor to have a mortgage history- there are some DSCR mortgage programs that will work with investors who are renting- some refer to them as first time home buyers (FTHBs)- DSCR loans are only for investment properties where the owner isn't living there. 

Cleveland, Ohio seems to be the place to be in terms of cap rates and distance from home.

I currently own a two-family home with my girlfriend, but I plan to refinance in 2025 and start fresh with a focused expansion strategy.

G'Day Alejandro,As a few have already mentioned, take a peak at Toledo also.In my opinion lower potential for long term appreciation but solid/"boring" cashflow.I prefer my portfolio to be "boring" but cashflowing lolLow entry points (Sub $100,000), high rents (Above the 1% rule).Blue collar working class decent folks that will stay and pay.Depending on the area but no derelict homes, yards well kept, cars with wheels and all tenants are employed.Plus, all are sophisticated enough to pay rent online so property management doesn't have to collect rents with bullet proof vests and shot guns lolI'm bias toward Toledo but it's worth considering.Wishing you much success

Is the same thing happening in the neighbor's homes? 

And large hedgefunds also to the same, they sell a large amount of homes in a group to another hedgefund.