You may want to share you analysis with a few banks and/or property managers as they will typically weigh in on your assumptions if they are potentially interested in working with you. 

If not for you and you prefer the traditional route, I would explore potential "up and coming" markets such as Acworth, Cartersville, and Douglasville, where the price-to-rent ratio is a little more favorable, and growth is apparent.

@Hector Lewis - The decision ultimately depends on your current cash reserves relative to your financial needs, as well as your willingness to reinvest for potential appreciation.

Which is very complex and costly and likely warrants professional help.Now, if it's just you and your spouse, then your 2024 tax preparation is likely relatively straightforward:- you will create a Schedule C on your personal tax return- you will NOT report any costs of purchasing the property or its rehab, not in 2024- you will report your business overhead expenses such as marketing, driving, technology etc- you will end up with a business schedule showing zero income and some expenses - not breaking the rules but potentially raising an audit flagCan you do it yourself?

Tip: Take a couple videos of the place fully furnished before anyone moves in and send them as video tours to potential tenants on FurnishedFinder when they ask to see the place.

If you initially end up needing to raise rents I like to do them one at a time to minimize potential turnover from happening in multiple units at once.

Since you’re already networking and have some good realtor contacts, focus on narrowing down your investment strategy (like buy-and-hold or house hacking) and target markets with solid cash flow potential.

The stock market offers liquidity and potential appreciation but comes with volatility.

Also when you are under contract and get condo docs, make sure to read the meeting minutes (for the past year if available) they will indicate if there are any talks of an upcoming special assessment (which you don't want).

It was in our list to potentially expand our portfolio, but we already have 3 properties close to the shoreline....perhaps one day.