Battery tech is changing the game but it's insanely expensive. 

People not on BP, poor people with low tech or low qualification jobs, it will be a very bad time from both inflation above and job/benefits/school stresses from illegal immigrants from below. 

Tech companies are continuously moving here and establishing a footprint in Columbus as well.

No more than you should become a master electrician, master plumber, HVAC tech,  insurance agent, loan officer, and maybe other licensed people.   

The software interface isn't terribly efficient, but it performs its functions just fine)That said, I think there are some locks that have a wifi function and no fee, BUT they require interfacing with a smart hub - and the cost of setting that up combined with the amount of tech knowledge needed/potential for things to go wrong made me give them a pass.  

No-one is successful (outside of occasional tech start-ups) on revenue, especially when you are talking about real estate, a highly leveraged industry, and hospitality, a fairly low margin service industry.  

I've been in tech for over 30 years and in Real Estate for over 20 years, our REI deals are still stressful even with excellent tech, resources and processes. 

For Southern California traffic, and owners that allow us to leverage this tech - it makes alot of sense and FREEs us up to do more.  

I think in this market the buy and hold or BRRR are the best because of the historical above average appreciation growth and the tech and manufacturing jobs moving to the area. 

Quick thoughts on the markets you're considering:Knoxville, TN: Growing, affordable, and a strong university presence.Huntsville/Montgomery/Tuscaloosa, AL: Huntsville's got tech, while Montgomery and Tuscaloosa have colleges.Asheville, NC: Popular tourist spot, but competitive and pricey.Akron, OH: Affordable, but keep an eye on the local economy.Irving, TX: Part of DFW, so a big market, but prices are higher.St.