But to really answer your question - from an outsider's view - things have tightened up and continue to be tight....deals are harder to find, and interest rates make some good deals just average.  

With the interest rates and market prices, I am not sure this will be as great with returns.

- L**** Markets I've rented in since 1997: College Park, MD | Centreville, VA | Brooklyn, NY (Bed-Stuy) | NY, NY (Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Murray Hill)**** City Councils and Lease Types: (9 different leases over 25+ years)** City Council of New York (market rate lease (1 with and multiple without guarantors), 1 rent stabilized lease, and 1 unique govt. program in C-class neighborhood), ** Prince George's County, MD (market rate) ** Fairfax County, VA (market rate)**** Building Types: ** Non-combustible 8-unit and 10-unit (both built 1950s-ish) (walk ups), ** Semi-renovated former tenament building (1870s-ish 1 sink, bathtub was originally in kitchen, built wall around it)** Garden-style apartment (2000s walk-up, private porch), ** Luxury 100+ elevator (built 2012 with non-foodretail underneath + underground parking garage + 24 hour security, ** Luxury 100+ elevator (built 1990s with grocery store and retail underneath)** Unrenovated brownstone (1870s-ish walk-up) (It was Hoboken, NJ circa 1996, I was the illegal 3rd tenant for a couple months)

Any tips to get a better rate or deal from lender ? 

This is a fully legal process that has been irrelevant since the 80s because rates have just dropped.

I would enjoy meeting other like minded investors in my area.  

I don't enjoy being a landlord--I enjoy being an engineer (my day job), so having more than a handful seems crazy.

Interest rates were what, near 3%, 5 years ago.

Every tenant has the right to "quiet enjoyment".

I also enjoy their podcast and the free resources they put out.No experience with the other.