For all methods you would want to find a market that has strong employment rates, strong income rates for the market, and is a growing or an established market. 

Market insights and understanding the rental rates in the neighborhood.

If the answer is yes, then it's a no brainer to make minimum payments on your 2.8% interest rate mortgage, and use the funds that you would have paid extra to pay it down faster, to either invest in more real estate, the market, or anywhere else where you can get a ROI > 2.8%.If the answer is no, then feel free to aggressively pay it down as fast as possible, to become debt-free faster, and just have a large amount of money in savings or to splurge with.The bottom line is that your 2.8% mortgage is GOOD debt.

I feel like there's still people trying to make BRRRR deals work close to the city and the truth is it's nearly impossible given prices, rates, and the cost of construction.

There are also case by case opportunities within the North Phoenix market where rental rates are stronger. 

We cap the rate for utilities and actually added about 10% above our normal average this past year due to rising utility costs in our area for gas and propane.  

We have an A+ Rating with no complaints. 

You can generally get the best terms (max leverage and best rates) on an owner-occupied house.

Do a bit of digging, and you can find single-families in suburbs like Decatur or Meridianville that appreciate at rates above the statewide and nationwide average and hit the 1% rule at the same time.One caveat, though, is that most rentals in Huntsville proper probably aren’t going to deliver the cash flow you’re looking for.

Yes. we finally have an APP that lets us provide a rating for the renters.