I am seeking recommendations on how to network with investors and find those who may be interested in coming on as a joint venture/partner.

Both higher income yields and appreciation in value. 

If your new LLC is a disregarded entity (single-member or owned solely by you and your spouse in a community property state), it won’t trigger a taxable event, and you’ll continue reporting income on your personal return.

We'd even be happy to move them into one of our (future) properties and just let them keep all/most of their rent income as free cashflow. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

They are a great tool becuase some lenders use AirDNA to qualifiy rental income if the property is not actively an AirBNB.

Cosmo - I personally don't know Phoenix well, but if I had to do this in another city I would look at income levels, crime levels, and population growth (if you can) by zip code and/or area within a DMA as a starting point.

You still claim the income as miscellaneous income and deduct property taxes and mortgage interest (subject to SALT and other high mortgage limitations) on your Schedule A, but that's it.2. 

I'm looking at monthly cost to seller vs. anticipated rental income, purchase price relevant to the ARV of the area and interest rate, balloon, etc.

Go straight into focusing on creative finance, subject to, and minimal cash down deals and build from there.I want to hear your thoughts on what direction to take here if you were in my shoes given these constraints (full time job and a few thousand saved) and you want to optimize for passive income first, then value appreciation?