After we had the final city inspections it was determined that we needed to build a new garage because our fixes were not sufficient.

One for each city or just one for the entire state.

I have also dealt with the City of Columbia on several occasions regarding the conformity of MFH with a long vacancy.

There's a 3/1 ranch for $25k located 23 miles outside of my city.

hey jordan, i'm from st. louis originally and got lured back last year after a couple years in toronto. my wife and i are new to investing, close on our first property (a little sfr in the shaw neighborhood) in a couple weeks. we're in the same ballpark you are in terms of targets. we've been monitoring duplexes pretty closely for a couple months now, and it seems the market for multi-families in the neighborhoods you're hearing about (tower grove south, tower grove east, fox park) is very competitive. university city and clayton might also be areas to consider (near washington university and on our train line). i'm a newbie to investing but an olbie when it comes to stl, so i'm happy to answer questions you've got to the best of my ability. 

I would contact a tenant advocacy group in your city.

I would also recommend attending the local Kansas City MAREI meetup in December.  

I know the numbers look great on paper but the city is still not "ready for primetime" IMO. 

My goal for next year is to try and get involved in the chamber or at least put my .02 on development etc - whomever the city and county planners for the past 2-3 decades have been should be crucified and never allowed to work in those roles again. 

So I recently purchase a 4plex in a city of Los Angeles County.