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

I tend to be partial to REIA events, which have chapters in most larger cities/markets.

Henry Washington from BP on the market podcast operates here.

While @Phillip Austin mentioned Raleigh is a higher returns its just very much a appreciation market, you will not find rentals that cashflow, so depending on your goals its a good or bad market.

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.

I recommend you discuss and plan this in depth with a local lender who knows your market well. 

If you like where you live, I would explore investing in a cheaper out-of-state market. 

Educate yourself on the local market, network with other investors and agents, and always have a solid plan in place before making any investments.

The stock market has been on a tear.  

The investors I know finding properties on the MLS are making 30+ offers a week, embarassing offers, in hopes of finding 1 or 2 properties a month.Others are door knocking, cold calling, spending money on mailers to find off market properties.