As a side note the "Median" rents for the whole country are on a HUD website and is updated every year to the new rent levels, so you can see how your rents compare to the HUD Median rents. 

As a contractor I had to work for money, be at the mercy of the customer, jobs and timelines never seemed to go as planned, only to pay tax on the money I worked for.

While I’m not in a rush, I aim to strategically invest and grow a portfolio over the next 3–5 years to make a smooth exit from the corporate grind, as reporting to an office daily has left me feeling burnt out.What strategies would you recommend?

What I learned from the rental was the due diligence importance of finding the right tenants.

Hey @Brett Sheeran and welcome to the community!

Behind referral on on-line sources like Next door, Google review, FB marketplace, etc.  

@Sue Duvall I suggest you go to a site for the residential assisted living academy in Phoenix.

I don't have a project lined up currently, as I think the project targets vary greatly on the result of this decision since there is so much equity in the condo.

I dont like any company personally that does not put their principals on their website as in meet the team.. ... 

@Drew Sygit @Gregory Schwartz From this HUD map it is 17 States/DC, and another site says 22 States which may reflect some more recent updates.