The majority of investments is a game of "race to the bottom" and "who holds the cheaper debt" card. 

As for the third target market, Sacramento is close to you, it's a state capitol, relatively inexpensive, two major universities, great local culture...

One of the major issues I see is this.

Examples:44109 (median home price went from roughly 50k to 125k in 8 years)https://www.zillow.com/home-values/77009/cleveland-oh-44109/ 44102 (median home price went from roughly 30k to 120k in 8 years)https://www.zillow.com/home-values/77002/cleveland-oh-44102/ 44106 (median home price went from roughly 100k to 200k in 8 years)https://www.zillow.com/home-values/77006/cleveland-oh-44106/ It has the highest rents on average in all of Ohio for major cities and the median home value is not even in the top 3.

Majority of clients I work with today need proximity to NYC and are looking to fast track their real estate investing Journey. 

You can also find real estate investing groups through meetup.com, Facebook, or a Google search.

But enough to make to do all the cosmetics along with a few major items like HVAC, appliances, etc.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I'd definitely recommend considering the Columbus OH market - it's got strong macroeconomics with major employers coming in and developing here, steady population and job growth, and prices that still make sense for cash flow.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.