My focus is on quality rather than quantity, so have a small number of units producing significant income. 

If you got a minimum wage job, you could probably qualify for a home..a tiny one, that is

The finishing panels that go on the ends of the on-the-shelf are horribly cheap, the buildup is too thin and the self-adhesive is a joke.Considering the price difference, I won't go the off-the-shelf again unless we're talking some tiny section of counter that needs to be added, an island, etc.

It's no longer about quantity, but quality to me. 

Often times it is better to focus on quality over quantity. 10 x 4-plexes is 40 units ... for example, if you can't meet your investment goal with 40 high quality, reasonably leveraged units or less in scottsdale, you may want to reassess your strategy IMO.

The area around Montana Tech is nice, but be careful when a landlord presents you with his CAP rate calculations, as they stuff those tiny houses full of college kids. 

If $2500/month is your only goal and you want it quickly then yeah cheap out of state could work in quantity.

The devil is in the details it could make a tiny bit of difference regarding start up costs.

The most successful investors, focus on quality, not quantity.  

I'm a new PRO member, as of about 3 days ago, and an investor with a tiny bit of experience in rentals and fix and flips.