Your question is a bit broad, but i think this could be a good way to start narrowing down a best real estate strategy for your situation

Assuming an average income or above and you can work from home you’ll want to narrow it down to only states that don’t have an income tax or you’ll likely lose all your house hacking savings to income tax on your w-2 income and rental income.

Ok, I’m narrowing down my long distance investment property locations to Indianapolis and Columbus OH.  

Somewhere in the fifth, sixth, seventh decade of the house's existence, this leads to the joists slightly spalling at the far ends and narrowing at the center beam.

I've heard that it's best to narrow your search to one town or area. 

I have narrowed down a neighborhood in Ohio that has homes which generally sell between $100k-120k and rent between $1k-1.2k.

Narrow it down to a few markets that you really like and talk to some investors.

Talking with a lender to find out where you land on purchasing power will help narrow your focus to areas likely to yield the best results for your budget.Once you know your number, I am more than happy to share my experience and recommendations.There are lenders on BP who are also investors.

I think I've narrowed down our search to the WPB area of FL.

I would just narrow down what your goals are for real estate investing and what criteria you have for a property.