Navigating the process gets easier once you have a few under your belt.

I am interested in learning about multifamily deals and potentially partnering up with someone to get a deal under my belt. 

Get 2-3 rentals and 2-3 years under your belt before you worry about saving a few percentage points on taxes.

its hard to compare west coast to mid west rust belt economies are different we have a shortage of living units.. in Cleveland you have no shortage you have flight to the suburbs leaving existing SFRs with very small values since the only ones buying them by and large are investors and the income of the work force renter will dictate rent.  

@Brittany Trevino when you look for a partner, try and find someone that has several homes under their belt.

You might as well ask whether or not to fasten your seat-belts.

It will also be interesting to see how we do with a year of reviews under our belt.

The UK's equivalent of the 'rust belt' has not seen growth in a decade and the centers for the knowledge economy are doing pretty well.

Out of state is certainly easier to do once you get a little experience under your belt. 

I only recently formed an LLC after many years and many rentals under the belt.