However, you have to invest in specific communities where they are encouraging development.

I’m in the Greater Seattle area—would paid ads work for this niche?

RE is always changing and if you have only one niche then well your limited in opportunities and subject to the conditions that exist at the time for that strategy.  

Focus on actionable steps like analyzing deals, attending local meetups, and exploring niches like wholesaling or house hacking.

What asset niche are you targeting with your firm?

I want to preface this by saying I'm an absolute newbie when it comes to real estate investing, but the more books and resources I consume, the more I find myself gravitating towards commercial real estate, specifically hotels!

I personally have no connections with anyone who is involved in this niche and I'm wondering how other people have started their journey.

It's tough to give a definitive answer without knowing your specific investment goals (cash flow, appreciation, etc.) and preferred strategies (BRRRR, wholesaling, etc.).However, since I'm a Cleveland native and active in the real estate market here, I can offer some insights on why Cleveland could be a good fit:Affordability: Compared to many other major metros, Cleveland offers a relatively low barrier to entry.

Orlando has a very active real estate investing community with many meetups for different niches.

Chances are they are "more knowledgeable" that others in that niche.