If you want more assistance than this general answer, you'll need to post more specific facts about your situation.

While I’m not in Little Rock, I’ve found that networking with local brokers and property managers can be key to uncovering neighborhood-specific insights.

Each one has a specific reason, to be sure.  

Be sure to consult with your CPA to determine if you can utilize these deductions based on your specific tax situation.

I mean in general what sort of expert should I try finding first, but if someone has specific people in mind who deal with the UP that works for me too.

I mostly agree with Huong, but in specific cases, a small negative cash flow is not the end of the world.

From my experience, attending local meetups, lending-specific events, and networking with experienced investors can open doors.

As a private money broker, I strongly advise real estate investors to be cautious and avoid any lender that requests upfront cash payments.

I have a few friends who is very pro Ohio (Akron and Columbus specifically), but i ventured elsewhere.

I never go off of a flat percentage on anything, I analyze the costs to get to a specific return I target and analyze the risk that is involved. 70% may be an initial metric to see if it is even worth pursuing, but every deal should be evaluated independently based on costs, time and risk involved.