So, it's still a viable way of investing, but does not have the same scale of success in today's economic environment in higher appreciation markets.

@Stuart Udis I pretty much avoided looking into any of the Philadelphia offerings knowing I had no idea about the area or the local rental environment/landscape.

We are also seeing an increase due to the lower interest rate debt out there in a higher interest rate environment. 

Going on three years of being worthwhile.Share in the comments if you love your company's environment too!

But if you’re looking for a more stable, family-friendly environment with lower costs and a focus on LTRs, Texas could be a better fit.Since you have young kids, I’d dig deeper into school districts and neighborhoods in both states—family life can really shape where you’ll feel at home.

A 2 hour meeting can go by quickly, with a classroom environment and it can all be totally free!!!

The environment now with higher interest rates and higher purchase price does make it more difficult but definitely doable. 

If there's a family member or friend in a similar situation, and you can both align on the initial plan (location, home type, price, usage/occupancy, etc) you can pretty easily get a co-ownership agreement in place and even a joint mortgage.The benefit here is it might open up your ability to buy a larger place in a nicer area which could lead to a faster rate of appreciation and overall better living environment. 

Vet potential partners carefully and aim for relationships that can grow with your portfolio.In this higher interest rate environment, focus on cash flow and creative financing options like the HomeStyle rehab loan or seller financing.

These are primarily found in cities with a metro population >1M.Pro-business environment: Many cities treat employers as adversaries through restrictive policies.