The areas up north I mentioned are also on the expensive side, but with the new rail station opening in Shoreline that I heard about on NPR I believe positions it well to grow quickly.  

I personally am trying to do this on the side of a career.

I've been through 4 PM's and they all have the same problems.1. the managers have WAY too many properties assigned to them so they are always in triage mode and the other stuff (like finding tenants, communicating with landlords, collecting rent, and everything else you pay them for) falls to the wayside. 2. most PM's have never owned a property. now, I know this is hard to ask for from all PM's but if you're a small investor like I am then I think it's imperative to have a PM on your side the really knows the market, and what's at stake. 

You will find a lot of markets that make so much more sense than the insane areas like the Bay Area and NYC but also watch out for the "hot" ones since that's where everyone has gone. 

But there is a lot of proof on your side to ever see that happening.

It is an REI group and they have meetings on the south side of town.

HiI am getting started in REI and working on building up my contact list of other investors, attorneys, handymen and other friends.A little about meI have been studying real estate basics for the last 6 years, helped few of my own close friends ( my own home) buy and sell houses just to learn the trade but not for commissionWith my education and bit of experience, just started venturing in this new field but puruing very actively and aggressively.I realized having a good team along side in my journey will truly be helpful and mutually beneficial.Please reach out with your interests in REI and how we will be able to help each other.I live in the nw suburbs in Chicago area and currently working on a townhouse deal.

The homes on either side of it are valued at more than 300k as they are already remodeled and in fantastic living condition.

Just too much capital from buyers for existing inventory right now on the SFR side.

Problem is the upstairs gets super hot while the downstairs stays colder in the winter.