@Tenzin Lhanzey a duplex is a solid place to start; there are dozens on/off market in minneapolis. 

It's not a good strategy to scale IMO, but it is often a good strategy to help you build a solid foundation for your portfolio and then use those properties as leverage so you can scale.

Is this a solid strategy?

I agree with @Gary Swank that it is very important to have a solid team in place when working from out of the area.

I accept them and mitigate the risk by (a) screening the animals, (b) having a solid set of rules that are quickly and fairly enforced, (c) regular inspections, especially for cat units, and (d) charging a monthly pet fee.Let's say I have five single-family homes.

Holding onto it is a smart decision, and you're entering property investing in a solid position.To get started, focus on ensuring that the rental income will cover your mortgage, taxes, insurance, and any maintenance costs, leaving room for profit.

We have a solid meetup in Provo I enjoy going to and have learned lots from.

no I have not purchased the home yet -but I’m educated and working with a realtor who understands the process.1st- you have to be a recipient of a section 8 housing choice voucher /in the program and in good standing2nd you need to be in the rental unit and in the program for a year minimum3rd you must to be in a “participating housing authority” or PHA  because not all Housing Authority’s participate in this rent voucher -to -home mortgage voucher program4th it may ( or may not) require recipient  enrolling in an additional sub program called families for Self Sufficiency ( FSS) which has a class that teaches voucher holders how to use the voucher for a mortgage payment5th I’m working with a realtor who understands the process - has used it for dozens if not hundreds of clients. it’s going to be VERY hard for anyone unfamiliar with government processes  to get through it successfully. note I’m also utilizing  first time savings plans IDA‘s and local first time homebuyer grants and a USDA 502 direct low income Rural loan. and my own funds.All aid mentioned can be “stacked” to lower mortgage & create long term affordability.  

Solid areas to find good deals. 

(https://dataispower.org/rockcastle-mega-site/)As an investor and owner myself, I understand the math needed to make a solid investment for your portfolio.If you have interest in these markets, lets connect!