Unless you really know Baltimore I consider buying there gambling , not investing .

Trying to weed people out at local REI meetings to be possible mentors is also gamble and a huge time suck.

Some mentees will act as a bloodhound for the mentor, knocking on doors, driving for dollars, scouring the internet, making cold calls, or performing other services that help the mentor find new deals.

This is what I did for a cabin I built in Gatlinburg:  We took a few royalty-free photos of the area off of the internet, and submitted them to an art site online whereby they make a painting of the photo.  

Obviously, this is all entertainment no one on the internet knows anything about you to give you advice.  

I wouldn't bet on either at this stage but if you like a gamble...

The reality is that the new generation of native-born Americans don't want to build houses, they all want cushy high-paid jobs in tech or finance etc. or to get rich quick off of crypto or being a youtuber or running internet businesses, etc. very few of them want to work in the trades. 

Scrutinize contracts related to services like laundry, internet, cable, and phone.4.

And if your LT tenant needs to assist with things now and then, be sure to show appreciation and compensation of some sort (I've offered free wifi, though my tenant prefers their own internet/cable).3) I haven't had any issues, but maybe avoiding carpet and low rates with single night rentals that ends up attracting homeless guests.

I'm in the business of real estate, not internet clout, but whatever makes you feel good about yourself buddy!