I would like to eventually grow into investing in my neighborhood but have found this county only one hour away that seems more affordable for me to begin.

There are definitely areas where you could repeat a similar strategy but with even better cash flow.If you’re ever looking at growing your portfolio elsewhere, I come across off-market deals that could align with what you’re looking for.

Hey @Logan Barwick, I personally like option 1, but this depends on what your strategy is to grow your real estate portfolio.

Let's connect and grow together in our real estate journeys.Looking forward to engaging with everyone! 

I recommend selecting an investment city based on the following criteria.Key Criteria for Choosing an Investment CityRents Must Outpace InflationFinancial freedom depends on rental income growing faster than inflation.

I’m excited to connect, learn, and grow alongside all of you.

It'll take some time but I see Anthem and all around the plant growing significantly over the coming years, small multifam and sfh's may be a good buy up around there.

This year’s most popular areas are known for being fast-growing cities with plenty of new development, with healthy job growth in Florida and Texas in particular.

.✅ Hands-On Experience – If you plan to grow your real estate portfolio, managing tenants yourself can teach you valuable lessons about leases, maintenance, and local rental laws.✅ More Control – You’ll personally handle tenant screening, rent collection, and property upkeep, ensuring everything is done to your standards.✅ Stronger Tenant Relationships – Being involved directly allows you to build rapport with your tenants, which can lead to better communication and longer leases.Cons of Self-Managing❌ Time-Consuming – Dealing with maintenance requests, late-night emergencies, and tenant disputes can quickly become a second job.❌ Legal Risks – Chicago has strict landlord-tenant laws.

A growing income stream is worth more--so I'd like to see growth so that there is a path to profit.