I’m looking to start in DFW since I live in Arlington but eventually I’ll be open to other markets to diversify my portfolio.  

If you're going to start in a market you're eventually going to live in, I think that's a stronger case for that market."

I live on the main unit. 

This 16-acre mixed-use community bridges Downtown Gastonia and the historic Loray Mill District, creating a vibrant live/work/play corridor.⚾ Franklin Yards-Gastonia- A $26M, 5,000-seat multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue, with future plans for residential, retail, and office spaces.🍽 Food Hall-Gastonia-Gaston County’s first food hall is in the works!

He's lived in Japan a few years as well (Fukuoka, I believe).

If you are buying to live in, you could also do FHA with a cosigner.

But this was an awesome opportunity for me because this is my first living situation where I will be on my own (and getting used to paying a rent/mortgage) but this will put my overall mortgage on a 400k house at roughly $2000 a month for the first year!

After 25 months, If they can prove that they lived in the property for two of the past five years, they can sell it as an owner-occupied residence.

@Isaac TerryIn terms of it being worthwhile, just like most other markets out of state if the barrier or entry is too high where you live, the landlord laws are not favorable where you live, and you are looking for positive cashflow then Cleveland can be a good option.

I have multiple listings across different parts of Florida and I don't even live in FL.