This one I did 50/50 with a friend makes it way less stressful and allows me to do two projects at once without overdoing my risk tolerance. 

A lifelong friend and I are motivated to (virtually) meet and connect with those in REI working in the Pittsburgh area.I'm active duty military and living in California with two rental properties (one in Virginia Beach & one in Pittsburgh) and my close friend owns a single family in Baltimore.  

STR-friendly markets make it easier to get started and grow your business, and the lack of state income tax is a huge perk.

and even for friends and family, that's more of a favor than a loan...you asked not to sugarcoat, so here goes. 

Having a group of friends living in an apartment complex creates a sense of community and reduces turnover.

Also if any NJ agents that are familiar with using these and transitioning out of them can reach out for some advice and education that would be great seeing that I will need an investor Friendly agent over here to help guide me through everything.

Definitely connect with an investor-friendly agent, they should have all the knowledge, resources, and connections you will need.

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52724-im-new-to-investing-how-do-i-find-an-investor-friendly-agent

Some of my colleagues and friends bought millions, others tens of millions, and some hundreds of millions (or Billions) during that period.Real estate is a funny game - it tends to go up, yes, but it does not always go up, and it can go nowhere for a decade or more, as a lot of apartment complex purchasers from 2021 are about to find out. 

Phoenix has been a hot market for rentals recently, but consider how long-term trends, interest rates, or construction projects might impact demand.Here’s a quick story: A friend of mine bought a new-build in a suburban development a few years back.