Some of the ones many of our new, and experienced, investors alike are choosing are Memphis, Little Rock and OKC.Why are they choosing these markets as a starting point? 

@Derick Jennings Without knowing more about your situation, I'd likely recommend a house hack, a strategy I wish I would have known about when I got started.

Start by attending real estate meetups, BiggerPockets forums, and local investor groups to connect with potential partners.

If you’ve got property and aren’t well-versed in an accounting software I’d recommend starting with a good accountant and quickly adding a good bookkeeper.

For the crowdfunding and similar platforms that are starting to rise, would the lower returns be a result of the diversification they provide or due to the different risks they come with?

Started using Xero last year, as better bookkeeping was needed a new acquisition with a partner. 

If you used them to purchase another rental/ use for another business endeavor...the process starts over. 

I ask why and they say "well I did not know my grandpop was going to die" and right when they say that usually they start to understand.Correct.  

I would recommend joining ULI (Urban Land Institute) They have a network of people that can provide exactly what you are looking for I discovered their youtube page last year and started binging......I would like to do the same...

Your financial background is a huge asset, and it’s great that you’re starting locally in Milwaukee while keeping an eye on future expansion.If you’re looking to connect with like-minded investors, the Rental Property Association of Wisconsin is a fantastic resource for networking with rental portfolio owners, accessing legal resources, and finding contractors. https://www.aasew.org/For mentors, funding sources, and flippers, the Milwaukee REIA is another great group to explore. https://www.milwaukeereia.com/I’m a member of both and find unique value in each—maybe we’ll cross paths at a future meeting!