You will gain so much knowledge from the experts in your market and also may find someone who is in the same boat of you.

I have cut out all music and have been listening to the podcast and audiobooks for the past week while I drive for work trying to gain as much information as I can.       

I've lived in the condo so I would be exempt from paying taxes on Capital gains up to 250k.However I'd be letting go of a low interest loan of 3.375% which is tough to get in this market.I would like to purchase more properties so I feel that having this first one will be useful to show lenders.Am I missing anything else?

SOI was the biggest way to gain clients. 

Adding additional assets, a familiar market, buying a house "for free" as I call it, and gaining experience with lower level of risk How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

On the flip side, do you think the stability/predictability of the Dayton market could be a positive thing for someone like me to gain some experience and then branch out to a more competitive market like Columbus?

Plan for the Long TermTax Planning: Understand tax implications and consider strategies such as 1031 exchanges for deferring capital gains taxes.Estate Planning: Develop a plan for passing on your real estate investments to heirs.Additional Tips:Stay Disciplined: Stick to your investment plan and avoid making emotional decisions.Continuous Learning: Real estate markets evolve, so stay updated with industry trends and regulations.Risk Management: Be aware of risks such as vacancies, unexpected expenses, and interest rate fluctuations.By following these steps and remaining committed to your goals, you can progressively build wealth and achieve financial freedom through real estate investing.

This way, you can gain experience and build trust with local professionals while minimizing risk.

I prefer holding a rental to mitigate capital gains taxes after a few years of holding.

I highly recommend that you attend local REI networking groups and meetups to connect with fellow real estate investors and check out the forums, you can find discussions specific to your goals there and gain valuable insights.