Raleigh, specifically Apex, NC, is one of the fastest growing markets in the country.  

(Read about us in Fast Company here).We then started Castle, which has since become metro Detroit's fastest-growing property management company (but I'm not here to pitch you!)

I am giving MTR a try on a studio apartment I have that has only been marginally successful on AirBnB.My property that sleeps the most amount of people always gets booked the fastest.

However, being an INVESTOR, also means you use your tools wisely and look for the fastest and easiest way to make money while eliminating the downside (whatever it may be).

The upside is that Dallas, along with all the metro areas in TX consistently rank in the top 10 fastest growing cities in the US.

A real time line is around 18 months and 8 months would be the fastest I've heard and over 6 years is the longest.

I've also started a new position as a City Planner for a local government, which is the fastest growing in the region.

My location is one of fast pace growth, actually has been one of the top 5 fastest growing counties in the US for a while.

@Michael Flood1) Not 100% sure how lenders calculate this but if it is a business partnership it should be 1/2 each2) Usually 6 months to a year but many times if you take advantage of depreciation your income will be less on paper than it is in reality, if it is multifamily and occupied some will calculate it from the beginning3) No because you are not using an FHA loan to purchase the property4) If you want the cheapest price buy in the winter, if you want to fill vacancies the fastest buy in late spring or early summer. 

Would recommend you go where you can build a team on the ground and an area the area that is growing the fastest.