With that said, I've done some research on the market and found the following information helpful in my considerations for Phoenix that you might find helpful as well:  Demand for both buying and renting property remains high due to the city's strong economy and growing population. 

It’s great to hear that you’re looking to invest in the OKC market—it’s such a fantastic area with strong long-term potential.

Because I need cashflow proceeds to start being withdrawn in 2 years and not today, I'm looking for how I can build up the empire with a larger portfolio with continued investments beyond the initial $250k now.  

Over the years, with personal investment alongside investments from family and friends, I’ve been able to build a small portfolio of apartment buildings with a focus on cash flow through strong operations.

In Collin County, consider properties with strong appreciation potential in areas like Plano or Frisco.

The time has come for me to start investing in real estate and before doing so i'm looking to build a strong and dedicated team of partners: agents, lenders, contractors and property managers mainly in the Cleveland area (but also open to markets within a 2-3 hr drive away) that already possess an excellent track record in their line of work and that value long term collaboration.

It's a strong market.

Connecting with investors is a great move too; it’s one of the best ways to gain real-world knowledge and build a strong foundation for your journey.What kind of investing are you most interested in? 

Whether you’re targeting strong cash flow or long-term appreciation, understanding the dynamics of each neighborhood is key.

Low barrier to entry, low taxes, landlord friendly, some amazing class A and B suburbs and a strong urban core.