I've been trying to make it to one of the BREIA meetings for a few years now but being 45 minutes from Hell n Blazes for a 5pm meeting is always a tough time especially since I pick up my kids from school around that time. 

Do your research, pick a strategy that feels comfortable, find an agent that knows that strategy, look at some homes, run some numbers and then buy. 

If you pick one that doesn't work you can always switch. 

Pick a strategy where you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and get moving.

@Mary Ainsworth Honestly I’d give my realtor about a 50:50 as to whether I’d want him to pick out a property for me.

You could offer them 1/2 or whatever ratio you feel is fair given the circumstances and they can write you a check for that amount to walk away.Another thought, if there is a way you can find out where they are moving, a forwarding address etc, I'd reach out to that new LL or owner and explain the situation to them, I have a feeling the tenant didn't disclose that they have an existing lease as a liability in their financials when the applied, and there may be some application fraud etc at play here that the new LL would likely want to know.Think about this from your own point of view, I doubt if you picked up and left one of your subway locations that the the LL would just let you leave.  

My team and I are in the Detroit, MI marketplace and it is the market we've picked.

Lots of solid feedback here already but wanted to reiterate a few- get a good team, pick a rentable location, shoot for multi unit or something that is spacious enough for everyone to enjoy where they're living and have all financial ducks in a row with your partner.

Im in the Stockton area and would love to immerse myself around like minided people and pick theyre brains.

Pick one market, preferably the market in which you want to live and have your REALTOR send you all new and changed listings in email each day.