If I could, pick your brain a bit more, how much do you typically set aside for things like CapEx/Vacancy?

Pick a handful and travel to them.

Try using the BiggerPockets "Market finder" and see where that brings you and then just talk with agents in the market you pick and narrow down these options by relying on market local contacts to guide you.

I do know that there are other sources to pick up knowledge.

Success often comes from picking properties with strong chances for rent income or those that can be improved in value.

@Matthew Giblin you're highly unlikely to succeed if you spread yourself over 4 markets.Recommend you do more research and just pick one of the 4 markets.Then do a trial run and see how it goes. 

I keep getting the run around and saying oh it's just the slow months and things will be picking up soon. 

Just pick a route, get extra liability and focus on growing. 

We could all start to meet up around the Pittsburgh area and pick each others brains, see what's working for everyone.

So pick a market that is easily and readily accessible to you.