In the country alone with low competition relying on appraisals would be less predictable. 

The one Lyon uses is out of country.

There are millions of properties in this country.

I have a long term rental here locally and then I purchased a duplex across the country in 2020.

Hello all , it seems everybody in this country is making a bigger deal out of investing in section 8 properties versus let’s just called a cash tenant .

We're based in NY but have clients throughout the whole country.

We are based in NY, but we do have clients throughout the country.

It is estimate that nearly 9,700 people in NC are suffering from Homelessness *Side Note: If you want something interesting to check out related to Homelessness across the USA: 2023 AHAR Report (Page 18 of the PDF gives you a country wide, by state graphic for a super quick review) Fayetteville has a cost of living ranked as 23rd/50th most expensive in NC, pretty middle of the pack. 

Zillow predicts Columbus to be the 2nd hottest RE market in country due so many fortune 500 companies investing here (like Intel and google).

So Erik has some great real world advice.Remember that you can pick a better area in other parts of the country and still self manage.Your idea of a 4 bedroom house is good as that will generate more revenue than a smaller property and appeal to more people.