You want to focus on areas where you have a competitive advantage (you have lived there or you have family and friends there) and then compare those areas against widespread list of great areas to invest.Good luck!

Small shop brokers that have access to multiple programs so that they aren't beholden to one or just a few loan programs will typically get the most competitive product for the borrower. 

What happens if you buy the SFH and hate renting it by the room but the cost to maintain is too much by yourself.

@Jared CarpenterPhoenix is a strong market for home sales and the competition has been pretty strong for the last few years now as the markets have recovered greatly from 5-6 years ago.

So this is creating more competition and more agreesive rent rates and/or concessions like 1 month free to get those vacancies filled.

One of the things I'm trying to figure out is if I'm better off getting a few lower cost properties or on higher priced property. 

Competition remains strong but it doesn't mean your goal is impossible to reach.

I feel this gives me the flexibility to find the right solution for my client and not just sell what my bank offers.I'll also throw in my 2 cents on common differences I've seen in my career:CDFIs - Because of their subsidized financing structure, they have the ability to be a low cost lender (and sometimes provide grants).

You just have to make it more exciting than the competition.

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