Overall, investors are expecting a lot of appreciation in this market, based on high demand to live here, low unemployment, and a strong & diverse economy.

So instead of 'development and multi-family', start with 'networking, service, reading spreadsheets/analyzing, connecting with people, managing projects, etc....' basically write out whatever you really enjoy doing OR whatever skill you want to acquire... and find a job in RE that matches. because RE is so diverse and people oriented, you're bound to find something that suits you. 

Now I think the answers as to why someone in NJ should invest in Cincinnati would go something like this: -people live there-big companies live there-urban neighborhoods are gentrifying-affordable living -diversity of neighborhoods--some good for flips, some good for consistent appreciation, and there are still plenty of C-D areas that show good returns on paper that people from NY and CA love to gobble up-major airport-major research university-we have Skyline Chili-Pete Rose is from here-Our Roebling Bridge is your Brooklyn Bridge's father-Goetta

I have always been somewhat interested in real estate investing, but like most people, didn’t know how diverse and flexible it could be.

I prefer Primary and Secondary markets because of the diversity of industries\jobs, higher population growth potential, higher income potential, amenities, and the data collected\available to analyze. 

Not only do they have high CoC returns but they have good population growth, growing jobs and diverse and modern economies.

@Danny Webber@Brandon Miller Yes you both have a point its more steady and i see more flips with more profit In San Antonio Where most of the jobs are more diverse and don't rely so heavy in oil Industry it seems riskier for me or at least those are my thought in the las crash in 2015 I saw so much of the population move out and real estate dropped so much it became a buyers Market with the low prices everyone was moving out due to job loss or lay offs  

You may want to find similar minded investment partners or perhaps find people different from how you think so that way you get a diverse array of opinions on investment options.

What the IRS does stipulate that all activities of the plan must be for the exclusive benefit of the plan beneficiaries.The IRS recommends the following criteria to determine if a plan’s policies are for the exclusive benefit of the plan participants: The cost of an investment must not exceed its fair market value (FMV) at the time of its purchase.A fair return commensurate with the prevailing rate must be provided.The investment must be sufficiently liquid to permit distributions per the plan terms.The safeguards and diversity that a prudent investor would adhere to must be present.So put that in perspective relative to the lending arrangement you are considering.

The strategies may differ.A few perks to SA are strong job and population growth and diversity of employers.