This year, I’ve decided to focus on the tenant experience by painting entire walls, not just touching up!

Don't spend your time with other agents as a focus. 

Also keep in mind all those that equate this to buying a rental house are very focused on one thing and that is being a landlord and being landlord and buying rentals basically takes no special talent or knowledge other than basic math and ability to buy one.. 

Also, focus on 2 years of job/income stability.Class D Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciationVacancy Est: 20%+ should be used to cover nonpayment, evictions & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores under 560 (almost 30% probability of default), little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, recent evictions.

@Jon D. some questions, the answers may help you better focus.1) Why did you pay your primary mortgage off in the first place?

For the most part, the guys and girls at the ground level are still great and focused on what they do! 

My recommendation would be to engage an investment property focused realtor (not a general residential realtor) and let that person guide you through the process from pre-qualification to market/property valuation and selection. 

Jeffrey:I'm connected to a large group in Indy that focuses on buy & hold SF and apartment (commercial) residential real estate. 

Alternative Lenders – Look for private lenders or debt funds that focus on asset-based lending rather than borrower experience.

I am just starting to focus on building our portfolio and growing it hopefully successfully the next 7 years. appreciate the insight, Scott.