Big cities tend to have more regulations, more crime, more leftist-leaning policies that hurt investors and private property rights, etc.

In Atlanta, some areas tends to have flood.

@Adam RossRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Would appreciate referrals as well as any general insights about the market, neighborhoods, etc.  

Honestly, I've given up on finding cashflow anywhere close to the city due to rates and prices, BUT some other opportunities you may want to consider are:Live in flip - mentioned earlier in this thread, always a solid option in any market.Condo conversions - good money to be made from this and since they're a little trickier than a traditional flip there tends to be more inventory available that would allow for a profit.ADUs - come February 2nd, ADUs are allowed BY RIGHT on any SF property in the state, owner occupied or not.

A HELOC offers flexibility, as you only pay interest on what you use, but rates tend to be variable.

The market tends to be 3% for buyers agent that is paid for by the seller in my area.

Today, the door is boarded up and there is no glass in the upper-story windows.Nicole Lawrence, executive director of the Tenant Union Representative Network, said such deterioration tends to spread blight throughout neighborhoods, diminishing safe, affordable housing opportunities in communities where they’re most needed.

Either way, the problem tends to disappear after that. 

Capital management firms and credit unions tend to have better rates.