If you are looking for a place to move yourself before beginning investing, I think you have made a great choice in choosing Virginia over Maryland or DC in terms of the local metro area.

You have a choice when doing an arbitrage to be responsible for little to nothing when it comes to maintenance and repairs or budget for maintenance and repairs as if it's your property (keeping your tenants satisfied). 

Las Terrenas in the Samana peninsula is a good choice but I have a small thing for Bayahibe, close to la Romana.You can find property that are half the price of Punta Cana's and that you can rent around 80% of the year.

If you’re okay with not making much monthly profit and focusing on long-term gains, brick could be a solid choice.

You need some descent reserves to be a larger landlord, because you don't get a choice when the AC unit goes out, or the hot water heater floods the upstairs unit that then floods the downstairs unit.  

That makes sense making the move to a MF is a great choice more doors more cash flow. 

Make smart choices by guessing your money flow, asking local pros for advice, and looking closely at the house.

I also know their level of service went drastically down and would not be my top choice currently.2.

There are lots of choices.

I am not advocating one over the other, it is a personal choice, as much as indicating likely reality  Good luck