Not to say you cannot find a deal in many of those states but for a first time investor wanting to be cost efficient it makes little sense to stick to those states.You do have states like Indiana, Ohio, Tenn, Florida, Georgia, Texas that offer higher inventory of home prices even 2-4 unit multifamily that are under $200K.

We were looking in the Smokey’s and in Florida but we might just shift to our hometown and house back it with the ADU unit utilized for STR. 

Hello,
Little background I’ve been buying and selling since for 15 years. Spent a couple years as an LO. Been looking to expand resources from just wholesellers. After speaking with some agents I’m a little confused....

Albany, Syracuse, FL, NC, OH, TX).If you are considering small multi-family properties locally, you're in the right County!

The Austin metro was among the hottest destinations in the country for where people were moving last year, according to the latest annual ranking from U-Haul International Inc.Austin ranked No. 5 among the top U.S. growth metros in 2024, and Texas was the No. 2 state for move-ins — bested from the top spot after three consecutive years by South Carolina, according to data released Jan. 2 and Jan. 3.The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area took the crown for the top growth metro in the recent list, followed by Charlotte, North Carolina (No. 2); Phoenix (No. 3); and, Lakeland, Florida (No. 4).

Since we are in FL it could be citrus, or some other local good we can get at a reasonable place. 

OTM = General, overhead/widescreen view of nationwide market tends.BPRE = Detailed ways specific people are making money in real estate.

So, we now find most areas where the cost of PM leaves but the general real estate passive investment ROI for the investor hiring property management.  

While RAD also concentrates on areas of Texas, Idaho, California, and Florida for its growing portfolio of rental properties, according to the January offering circular, Philadelphia has been its primary locus of activity.

Good luck with your real estate investing journey.