If not for you and you prefer the traditional route, I would explore potential "up and coming" markets such as Acworth, Cartersville, and Douglasville, where the price-to-rent ratio is a little more favorable, and growth is apparent.

Driving the streets.

LA typically has outperformed in vacancy, rent growth, and appreciation.

I’d recommend looking for a market that’s affordable and has good rental demand—local job growth or proximity to schools can be a sign of a solid investment.

You will at the very least be in an excellent area for growth in just about every industry you can imagine. 

Thanks,Jake For unemployment data and population growth, government sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau are reliable and up-to-date.

Using a self-directed Roth IRA offers tax-advantaged growth, but choosing the right account type is essential.

The impact of job growth in the market is something I always look at because of this 1 job is not just one job.

I know there's a way to leverage this into some healthy growth. 

Your story and growth sound incredible, and I would love to embark on a similar journey if everything works out.