Timothy,General advice, not specific to an individual market, city or state. 

Significant changes to lease terms that impact tenantAlso, the tenant would not qualify for relocation assistance if they live outside of Portland City limits, live with their landlord, or have a week-to-week tenancy.The tenant has a "Right to quiet enjoyment" No entry is allowed for maintenance or repairs without proper 24-hour notice.

I'm also in the same boat in Jersey City, NJ.

Quote from @George Goldstein: Quote from @Theresa Harris: Even if you did buy a $1M house for $500K, your property taxes are based on assessed values and the city uses the size of the home and comparable homes in the area to determine that value and in turn your property taxes. 

Focus on neighborhoods with strong cash flow and smaller cities.

Due to a significant spike in demand, housing prices have skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible in some areas of the city to find solid returns as a real estate investor.

Not only will you learn different neighborhoods, how to manage people, and costs of construction, but they can get paid extremely well if you get good and know how to work with the City.

I am drawn to multi family homes and think I would like to start close to home here in the Twin Cities, but the more I listen and read, the less opposed I am to looking out of state. 

Some cities are now giving you money in the form of a loan to help build ADU's, which is great.

If allowed by the city, grade gravel and fence it and then lease it as outdoor storage.