You can achieve or even exceed your current cash flow in markets that are more landlord-friendly than Boston.

There is a high concentration of those in Texas (about 2/3) but it is relatively similar in most of the markets we lend.

I'm not too familiar with the markets yet but research I've done suggests that the towns of New Britain, New Haven and Hartford all have a good mix of inventory and low prices coupled with plenty of amenities, night life, cafes, etc and local colleges to bring younger people to the area year after year.

Agent and leasing experience can help with negotiation skills, market knowledge, and tenant screening.

I'm a local realtor and would love to connect and chat about the local market.

I have an investor friend who is a very successful wholesaler in a market, (south FL), that is crawling with wholesalers. 

Need a marketing team or call center.

Quote from @Victor Yang:In addition, is it possible for me and my wife to gift 36k worth of equity per year of the house (under the annual exclusion limit) and therefore have none of the costs go towards the lifetime gift limit?

You can arguably make it work in any market.

I used to think that cold calling was the only way to get off-market deals.