lots of options depending on your goals. i focus primarily in knoxville with long term holds and a few flips. my long term holds are focused in 37921 and 37912 zip codes and focus on long term tenants and student rentals. oak ridge has a great upside for long term renting as well as mid term with the lab and all the contract labor that goes in and out of there. happy to pass out some references if needed. 

Happened to me mid 1990's.

-mid-term rental property (rented room by room via furnished finder), VA loan, cash flows $500/mo.

To me, it's like Airbnb arbitrage, but for mid-term rentals.

Block off an early-to-mid week couple of days for the AC.

The mid-market is pretty hot and affordable.

I want to start with single family homes/long term rental, but also willing to try different strategies such as renting by the room/mid term. 

Make sure the numbers work and look for off market properties or different booking strategies such as mid term rentals or short term rentals. 

+1 to the mandatory mid week cleanings. 

I built my team of sub-contractors and now I focus primarily on mid-sized multi-family.