It's affordable and offers strong cash flow potential.

Long term, the Austin market will do just fine with strong population and job growth.

If rates come down at all I predict we’ll be back in a strong sellers market (competitive offers, steep appreciation etc) because inventory is still low. 

Prioritize properties with strong rental potential and set aside reserves to handle unexpected costs.Finally, familiarize yourself with tenant laws in your target market, especially in Portland, and consult a real estate-savvy CPA for tax efficiency and legal considerations.

I realize this may not be a strong enough reason if the market dynamics have shifted.As for California, my interest lies in the fact that I live here.

No real strong leads!?! 

Financing can also vary depending on whether it’s 2-4 units or 5+ units so keep that in mind as well.Having a strong team and lender familiar with multifamily deals is crucial.

I have no particular area that I'd like to start with or focus on, but probably prefer somewhere in the south of the US due to my strong aversion of winter.

These types of investments require minimal management and also provide significant opportunities for cost segregation.Ohio is a strong market for purchasing single-family homes (SFH).

If you have strong market knowledge and the ability to find deals, working in acquisitions for a syndicator or a real estate private equity shop could be a good fit.