Reston has seen an incredibly fast rise to be one of the major entertainment, business, and residential areas in the country in the short sixty years since its inception.

Will lenders entertain an early-stage conversation about how much I can potentially borrow across a few different properties? 

Research crime rates and choose areas with a good reputation.Amenities: Look for areas with access to amenities such as grocery stores, coffee shops, gyms, and entertainment options.

Been entertaining the idea of investing in Dayton but I’ve only ever been there a couple times for military training. 

A good way to classify A - B - C - D properties are by the shirts your tenants are wearing.A Properties = White collar professionals wanting nicer amenities to entertain friends.B Properties = Blue collar working class, bread and butter cash flow tenants that respect the property.C Properties = T-Shirts week-to-week paycheck residents, usually a mix of Section 8 and working classD Properties = NO SHIRTS gathered on the front steps drinking 40's out of a paper bag at high noon.

Entertainment purposes only 

Hi Greg, You could entertain keeping the property and pull some equity out of it to use as funds for down payments on future properties to purchase. 

I'm not handcuffed to only the DFW area, growing up in the Raleigh/Durham metro, I would gladly entertain investment opportunities in Central NC as well.Thanks,Evan

what it sounds like you are asking is illegal in many ways, section 8 laws, local laws, duel contract laws that conflict, there always has been also those out there looking to catch you breaking them,  avoid it, dont offer it, dont entertain it, there is leeway up if the tenant meets certain conditions, say need 1 floor rental, if not rent may be inflated over realistic market, which is what rented at not listed at, keeping in mind sec 8 market rents also include utilities paid, you can usually reach by email fastest, they have set chart, heat type, neighborhood etc, more than listings found online

Overall, this has been a very positive project and the family is enjoying the extra guest/entertaining space.