Hi Daniel, Columbus GA has properties much lower in price than the metro Atlanta area, you should do fine to learn your local market.

Hello everyone,I’m expanding into the Chattanooga market and looking to connect with experienced professionals to help with upcoming projects.

Study the market.

Crexi, Loopnet are probably the two biggest but why not work with an agent that can present you with multiple off market and listed deals?

That would be your downpayment and or market value the day you buy.  

Sphere of influence purchase - off market opportunity.

Alternatively, put it on the market and give the tenants notice keeping in mind that showing times will have to be done with 24 hours' notice to the tenants.

Build - rent - refinance -repeat. in columbus ohio you are buying old houses that are 1900 or 1920 or 1940 and you are in a sellers market. on the other hand you can source land which is a buyers market and build single family homes or duplex or triplexes that will return by renting and pulling cash out on a DSCR loan and doing it again. there aren't a lot of strategies that do this. flipping is different. so many risks. but when someone has a well oiled machine it's all good and less risk.

how is rental market in that area these days? 

If you are able to add an additional full bath, it sets you apart in the market big time!