I would definitely focus on market growth oppose to finding a cheap property.

I also do not take any money from my rentals as I’m in the growth phase with a W2 and low personal expenses. 

If you are a legal property manager in your state the owner should have the unfettered ability to allow you to act as his/her agent to enforce the lease, whatever provisions they may contain plus whatever your state laws allow.

Hey Rajesh:I looked all over the west coast and couldn't find much in terms of markets/job growth/other infrastructure dev that showed appreciation and cash flow (both) would be very good.

The ability to get funding in just a few days can make a world of difference, allowing investors to act quickly and lock in the best opportunities.I’m curious, in your experience, what strategies have you found most effective for building strong relationships with reliable direct lenders?

Starting with buy-and-hold single-family and multifamily properties is a great strategy, especially in a market like Cincinnati, which has solid rental demand and growth potential.

There are a lot of markets with solid job markets, strong populations, solid rent growth, but when you are talking ONE property, unless you are considering highly rural areas, it likely doesn't matter.  

With growth comes new challenges and new experiences.

I’m a broker based in Charlotte, NC, and I work with Compass to support investors in maximizing their growth strategies.

Plus, the population growth and job market around Tampa keep driving rental stability, making it a solid choice for both cash flow and long-term equity.