In 2022 the rents increased 12.1% year over year which was the 3rd highest in the entire country per https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/02/14/cleveland-rent-prices.

For out-of-state investing, find a trustworthy property management company and network with local real estate investor groups.

I put my money where my mouth is on this.We lend our own hard-earned money to local real estate investors.

It's a very local question based on the comps and active/recently sold inventory inside the community.

After debating local vs. or OOS, it seems like prudent advice to try to start locally with long term MF in so cal. 

Networking with other local investors or joining a real estate meetup can also help you find great lenders, property managers, and contractors.

I'm looking to pickup some multifamily real estate but the barrier to entry is crazy in my local market.

@Mitchel Johnson Welcome to BP and I wish you the best in investing..Usually people start by going to local meetups and building a network of trusted people to get their feet wetHere is an examplehttps://www.meetup.com/find/?

@Hamidou Keita House hacking by converting a single-family to a duplex is a smart strategy, but requires careful planning.Pros: Offset living expenses, higher rental income, increased equity.Cons: Significant conversion costs (permits, construction), zoning restrictions, living in a construction zone, managing two tenants.Key Considerations:Feasibility: Check local zoning and permitting.Costs: Get detailed construction estimates.Market Analysis: Ensure post-conversion rent covers expenses and there's rental demand.Resources: BiggerPockets forums, local contractors, real estate agents.Have you researched your target property's conversion potential?

Next piece of advice is shop this deal around with someone through the forums or local real estate groups (google for your area).