I see mostly out of state or out of country investors working with New Western in Birmingham because they don't have the knowledge of the city and surrounding areas.

So be careful of that.

Funding the larger properties to start sounds like it will be my biggest challenge and I'm not convinced, yet, that I can't find the money out of my own pocket or find OPM to get a deal done.

I always collect social security numbers, driver's license numbers, date of birth, etc.

I suspect this is mostly campaign rhetoric that was popular with the current anti immigrant xenophobia that grew out of the pandemic both here and internationally and won the election, but the governments ability to achieve any real change in the population of illegals in this country would be very out of character.   

@James Landsford I would wait to do the remodel after tenants move out before listing it for sale.

@Hiyun Park only experienced investors can DIY everything in Class C Midwest areas like Detroit, Cleveland, St Louis, etc.Hopefully the info below will help you:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

@Kathy Grossart,A couple of things don't fit here:1.

Especially, if you would consider doing some out of state investing! 

Allen, go out of your local area to invest.