I contacted multiple local property managers, local investors, and even my own property broker of the apartment I live in, still ZERO conversion.

The nay sayers who never jumped in still say the same thing today.

I’m not trying to dissuade you or instill hopelessness, just a sense of realistic expectations.

I closed Santander and a year later they still send alerts from my account , doesn't instill confidence.

I believe saving money for the first one instills the life skills you need for the future as opposed to the quick fix no money down approach to life which adds very little in personal development.

Leaving gifts for tenants does not instill anything.

It will limit your potential sellers since the amount of people looking for a home to live in still out numbers the amount of investors looking for a home.

Fiberglass roof deck is underway and the roof is dried in. Still

So the first thing to do is to be very careful what you post on a public forum (ie bigger pockets) as this web site goes a long way to instilling the idea that LLs are greedy bastards. 

I personally moved and invested in Reno because of it's proximity to Lake Tahoe/CA , but with the tax advantages, steady population/job growth, tech/manufacturing jobs continuing to come in, still very business/landlord friendly, etc.