For the county, you're probably going to find the most inventory suitable for S8 in/around North County.

I am about an hour north in Sheboygan. 

Initially I’m wanting to start in the local Chattanooga/North Georgia area

If you're at all interested in North Carolina, consider the Triangle (Raleigh / Durham) and Triad (Greensboro / Winston-Salem) areas, which are my focus for both clients and myself.

I grew up in North Florida so I have a lot of family, friends and business contacts in that area.  

The Banderas Bay area (from PV to Punta Mita) has lots of potential with the economic growth and the tourism industry expanding north towards San Blas with over 30% appreciation in the past 3 years.

So, for now, I will focus on Rhode Island, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Quote from @Kaushik Sarkar: I’m exploring strategies to scale my real estate portfolio given the current mortgage rate Not sure much makes sense at 11%...Ouch....tough enough at 7.5%   Might have to put more than 20% down to finance....maybe 30% in North Texas.   

Quote from @Alex Minter: Quote from @Daniel McDonald: Welcome @Alex Minter I've been house hacking the past few years just north of Boston and understand the desire to build a portfolio.

North Linden, South of Main, Vassor Village, Woodland Park, MT Vernon, Milo-Grogan, Franklinton, Merrion Village, Hungarian Village, Southern Orchards, Driving Park, Olde Towne East, Franklin Park, King Lincoln, Old Oaks, Livingston Park are all but not limited to some areas in Columbus, Ohio I think will gentrify quickly and make for great long term buy and holds.