Im not sure If that book is relevant to Philly, but either which way it'll teach you the fundamentals that you MUST know as a contractor.

It makes a lot of sense what you said Jonathan, it's too early for the coach, learn and implement the fundamentals.

@Mark Braun central bank reserve (not really money) printing isn't stimulative. 100% increase in the monetary base hasn't fundamentally changed anything.

Since meeting, she's helped me a lot from a distance over a few 45 min phone calls, emailing me listings, being very responsive to my questions via text and generally teaching me the fundamentals of real estate investing. 

Overall, the supply-demand fundamentals in most markets are still favorable.

The markets that you mention are all traditionally considered good cash flow markets but they are very different in terms of their economic and demographic fundamentals which are important for long term hold.

Just personal opinion, but I feel cash flow is more fundamentals vs investing in potential appreciation projects (e.g. startups) is speculation. 

If your market is growing with good fundamentals then I would strongly suggest focusing your efforts there.

Year to date (~8 months) I've sold 22 properties and the business is in great shape fundamentally.  

That said, if you want to grow and fundamentals are in place, take on  debt.