After I gather my "list", I do a quick google search to see if the ones I'm really hot for are on the MLS already.

See if you can find time to fly to meetups in hot markets too

If you have a hot dog stand and sell hot dogs and can prove revenue then a loan could be possible as you produce something.As an investor, you need a home that can produce something (income) to get a loan against that.

Those are not the only states but they have been a very Hot market lately.You will find a better price to cash flow ratio in those states due to multiple factors. 

When the time comes, if Texas is too far or expensive - don't forget about the Scranton market - that's a hot spot where a ton of NJ / NY residents to start buying affordable rentals. 

Hey Antonio, the mid-market is a pretty hot and affordable.

My family home was next door so I did all this work while working full time and maintaining a household and family.

This single-family home sits on a 1.5-acre property and is 6,400 sf, six bedrooms, five bathrooms, a pool, a hot tub, and an expansive balcony.

Zillow Flex - hot, quick leads.

This will get you the investment at the price you're looking for, while gaining appreciation in a hot market caused by migration and lower prices compared to the rest of the country (Greenville, SC).