For southern states, you might want to look at smaller markets in Alabama, Mississippi, or parts of Tennessee and Arkansas where properties are still affordable and cash flow potential exists.

As others have stated, there are Income discrimination laws in Kansas City so if you are an investor with rental properties in this city, make sure you understand the regulations. 

For a few thousand dollars in rent, it is worth the call.If you don't get satisfaction there, credit card companies are regulated via The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

That doesn’t go unnoticed by regulators.

I ask because we only buy houses around the southern US (TX,OK,AR,TN) but we're curious to know if more opportunities to buy foreclosures could potentially exist in other markets. 

Would your existing tenants stomach that much of an increase?

Without any cash it is unlikely unless you can find a 100% seller financed deal (they do exist, I just did one a few months ago).

Leverage your existing equity to invest in smaller properties, such as a mixed-use or retail space, to gain experience and cash flow.

Quote from @Celli Mowery: Hi Jamesinteresting message -I know I’ve seen your name often on the Bluegrass Investors GroupI have spent the last 5 years investing in London and while some of the concerns you mentioned did exist when we started I’m finding we haven’t had issues with tradesmen coming from Lexington & Richmond for us in recent years.

Alot of unknowns as you don't have the ability to walk the property beforehand, but interesting process, and pretty good deals exist there.While the Trustee Sales are cash purchases, there are many hard money options that can turn over the funds in time for the 24 hour funding required to complete the purchase.If you are interested, let me know and I can go into more detail, as well as make some other suggestions for you to consider.