I know covid rose the lending rates and makes Brrrr almost impossible and they don't give 75% as well.

When he actually went to order in the pandemic, that $40k quote rose 50% to $60k.I would go through your plans and determine what you need/want, then start shopping around. 

Would be great to hear from people who were in my shoes a couple of years ago how they were able to scale from 0 to 10+ doors quickly.

This isn't hard to understand for someone with an IQ above their own shoe size.

That being said, I've looked at properties in places like Kansas City and Columbus and they look much more attractive, especially as a new investor who'd prefer to risk less.So my question to you is, if you were in my shoes starting out would you pay more and invest close to home in a pricier West Coast market, or build a "core four" team and invest OOS?

I know the East Asian furnished-home-feature desirability checklist (shoe storage at entrance, good rice cooker, good cooktop, exterior venting extraction hood), but is there something I'm missing for a South Asian audience? 

Nice @Tara Rose Iguidbashian ! 

Hey @Tara Rose Iguidbashian!

I will be in your shoes one day.

Might be the idea but in practice in high priced markets does not solve the affordability issue which for instance in PDX caused the state and city to enact rent control over the entire state and a further enhanced version in the city of Roses.