You’re right, those factors (especially healthcare) and job opportunities for my spouse as an OT are just as important.The Midwest has been high on my list, not just for investment potential but also as a place I’m excited to explore.

I'm active in the Nashville area as an investor and agent. 

Explore my personal favorites, Set For Life by Scott Trench or The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, for invaluable financial insights.3.

I then did some wholesaling, land flipping, did some more buying and am now just doing lending to build up active income.

What are the economic activities of the location?

When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan me and my husband are thinking bout:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

The White House area might appeal to families or professionals wanting to live near Nashville at a lower cost.If you're open to exploring other markets, Memphis, TN also offers strong rental investment opportunities.

If you’d like to explore these options or have questions about financing, feel free to reach out! 

Quote from @Laurens Van swol: We are exploring the possibility of purchasing an investment property in Florida.

Hi Ryan, I'm a licensed real estate broker in Illinois and also a property manager, and yes, in the state of Illinois, you need to be a licensed real estate broker (to be compliant) in order to manage property owned by others, because property management is considered a form of a real estate activity under Illinois law.