I'll reach out to my lender to figure out what my options are.

So struggling to figure that part out. 

Reason being is that these are older properties and rough tenants. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Now, you need to figure out how to find deals and pay for them.

This will give you time to figure out options in Portland.  2.  

However, I just answered my own question right after I posted, so I really want to delete my post so when I look back in 5 years I won't hit myself in the head for not figuring it out before posting. :)

I figure REI is like most other things in life… hard work and persistence will get you there.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

A couple of us up here in the Bay Area are figuring out if someone could drive down a truck with supplies but I'm donating money first.