To transition to multi-family properties, research landlord-friendly states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Indiana with favorable eviction laws, lower taxes, and higher rental demand.

Even in a lower priced investment property, like a small SFR, what does the investor without a contingency fund do when say the ac or a furnace need replacement?  

I would tell people today that if you buy a primary residence expect to stay in that home for atleast five years, especially with a FHA loan which has lower down payment as the current forecasts for home appreciation or very low which with closing costs on the buy and sell, it will take several years to have equity in the property and enough to be able to sell, so that is something also to consider.

I'm also considering Halethorpe because it's a good commuter location.Some people really like supporting the city in which case , northeast Baltimore would seem to the best place to buy a single family, in my opinion given the taxes situation and given that none of those areas are walkable I’d rather just be in the county and pay Lower taxes, and it’s not like northeast Baltimore is much that much cheaper than Baltimore county, hathorpe is mixed, arbutus is nice, I hate the housing stock there, would rather be in Catonsville if I was considering western Baltimore county. 

Don't go for the cheapest (unless the price is lower because it is on sale), but also don't go for the most expensive. 

Rent growth has a larger impact on long term cash flow then initial cash flow.I am confident that on a 10 year hold, the higher cost market BRRRR in most markets will out perform the lower cost market BRRRR. 

One of the things I'm trying to figure out is if I'm better off getting a few lower cost properties or on higher priced property. 

As you know, marketing and price are both very important, and vacancy will significantly impact your income, so you are almost always better off charging a lower price and getting it filled with a good tenant.  

I paid about $1500 in closing costs between title, appraisal, etc, but the original loan was wiped out in favor of a new lower rate. 

For $10K and a lower rate I'd be willing to consider delaying...but only if I knew that lender two was solid on closing in a relatively short timeframe.