This vary heavily town to town. 20% down is great if buying strictly as investment but if you have a way of owner occupying I would explore that route and apply the 20% down to increasing value of property and instead using low money down loan. 

Since you’re still figuring out where to invest, look for areas with strong rental demand, good schools, low crime, and potential for future growth.

This is primarily due to two key factors: low inventory (leading to tight margins) and high interest rates.

@James Tobin  yes FHA will be a very low downpayment option for you.

Or we gradually perform high-quality updates for a live-in flip, then roll the equity into a new home.Regarding rental income, we aim to boost income, lower our effective tax rate by generating more low tax-drag income with rental income (since there’s not much we can do to lower out W2 tax bills) and have retirement cash flow.To compare the financial impact over 10-20 years, we want to analyze renting versus flipping.

Great weather and very low crime rate.I am humbly looking for seasoned syndicators and sponsors to  advice or team up with me on this new venture.

Prices remain relatively low, but appreciation may be slower.Monroe: A mix of cash flow and appreciation potential, Monroe has become a popular choice for investors, especially in areas where new developments are popping up.Appreciation-Focused NeighborhoodsBallantyne: A well-established area with high demand, Ballantyne offers excellent long-term appreciation potential, though cash flow opportunities may be limited.South End: A booming urban hub with a vibrant retail and restaurant scene.

Focus on smaller single-family homes, condos with low HOA fees, or multi-family properties in these regions, and build a reliable local team of agents, property managers, and other professionals to ensure a smooth investing experience.

Like you said, your maintenance should be very low on BTR.

Also, what are some other low cost amenities that I can add to my STR that will yield a higher ROI?