What should be the number first step after picking a market?

See properties sitting on the market for a long time, every market is different, my market anything over 30 days is a long time.

Ohio is a popular market for people in your situation. 

Late rents, evictions, and turnovers happen more frequently than in higher-end markets.

Would you choose a different market, build a better team, or take another approach?

Are you in the market for contracting work, or are you doing your own projects?

Both on and off market - agents /owner occupants, local wholesalers/ investors, out of state wholesalers/ investors. 

Quote from @Peter Tverdov: Think at least for the text standpoint it is challenging in this market now where I know personally 3 people that have been in lawsuits with one ringing in at $500,000 for cold text messages to people that did not want to be marketed to, so to @Jonathan Greene point on that for sure.I think that cold calling is a true skill that really no one (or 1%) will end up doing, and I 100% agree that VAs do not do it right..

Bigger Assignment FeesInstead of selling to investors looking for steep discounts, I market to end buyers willing to pay market price.

They will know market data and trends better, have reliable comps to base their recommendations on, and could even be a great deal flow with current portfolio properties selling.The completely remote, centralized PM function is one of the reasons why you see the homes owned by PE firms sit on the market so long.