Educate yourself on the local market, network with other investors and agents, and always have a solid plan in place before making any investments.

Consider connecting with local REI meetups, hospitality groups, or even online forums like this one to find like-minded investors.You could also pitch your successful track record to potential equity partners.

Research local rental demand, especially from military and university tenants, and consider balancing your portfolio with single-family and multi-family homes.

I’m a local realtor and can help you out as much as possible  

As I dive into all the different paths I can take (single family vs multi-family, short term vs long term, cash flow vs appreciation, local vs out of state, etc..) my mind is scrambling and I've ended up doing nothing at all.I'm looking to join a mastermind that meets consistently and can really motivate one another to take our businesses to the next level. 

local REIA groups are filled with investors looking to buy properties.

If you’re looking for investor-friendly agents, I’d check BiggerPockets networking forums or local meetups—sometimes word-of-mouth works better than the MLS.

@Steve Meyers I’ve been running this with some success with a local cincinnati agent on 2+ units and nationally with a commercial broker for shopping centers.

My guests also booked last minute and were locals...

Also, you don’t need a business license just to look at properties, but if you buy a bigger property, like a multi-family unit, you might need a certificate of occupancy, depending on the local rules.For business trips, most expenses can be deductible, but if it’s part personal and part business, you can only deduct the business portion.