Markets like Memphis, Little Rock, and Oklahoma City offer affordability under $200K, solid rental demand, and better population and job growth trends.

Commercial properties can be lucrative, but the financing/underwriting required from lenders is generally more "conservative" relative to residential and usually have higher interest rates (unless you have a "rock star", long-term commercial tenant in place) and generally require more equity from the borrower compared to residential.

Quote from @Jay Redding: @Wade Wisner -  Most of the notes that we purchase we keep in our portfolio and borrow against them with private capital.

The voters in Red States would never allow a national rent control.

Having developed a majority of my career in CA the regulations and red tape for construction and development are intense. 

Affordable housing is RED-hot at this time, especially if it's decent 3br+ housing sub $2k.   

Quote from @Don Miller: The following is not to express any level of happiness or unhappiness with the build:Received change orders totaling $14,970 for 18 additional loads of fill dirt over allotted amount in contract (fill dirt arrived in December 2022), 7 loads of septic sand over allotted amount, and rock excavation at the septic site. make sure to ask for the tickets. if they are putting 6 yards of soil in a single axle truck you are getting ripped off.

I am a local realtor in the Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk area and would love to help out if you need any assistance.

I’m surprised that in itself isn’t viewed as a red flag. 

As a college student landlord you may have interaction with parents & if they find you unprofessional that may raise red flags, but if you have your s**t together you can ease those concerns.I am a big fan of college rentals.