I am ready to become very uncomfortable, which I think will lead to growth and new opportunity. 

We're experiencing a lot of growth pretty soon and there is a lot of opportunity here.

However, if I was to buy out of state... would it make more sense to at least be able to weed out a few markets and go to markets that have in general, better vacancy rates, more demand, appear to have stronger job growth, and potentially more favorable taxes, or even states that are more favorable to landlords....??

I am not entirely sure on the long term growth of the area in terms of equity but I would like to be in an area where potential tenants are available. 

The big gains I see is cycle buying for equity growth.

Toll roads to downtown, so traffic (while still sucking pretty badly) isn't suicide-inducing.There's lots of growth down south (288, NASA area) but, again, not all that scenic.

Also have ties to Maryland & Washington DC as well as Buffalo, New York, so would consider growth and suggestions in those areas. 

If your plans for a property are continued growth to keep pulling out money to invest on an asset that is topped out using short term debt terms you can get into trouble.

My dad is a small time investor and is growing by leaps and bounds, part of his growth is due to a project I found, and eventually presented to him, me making a $5000 finders fee in the process.

I have increased my marketing budget tremendously this year, so at this point doing it by myself is not very beneficial to the growth of my company.