My overall goal is to have a few rental properties underneath my belt in the next few years and eventually walk away from my full-time job. 

.@ Douglas Belt - Thanks for your comments.

I thought she will appreciated.Instead she mention , I will resign only if you do following few thingsDoor belt to be fixed.

I am a Service member with the National Guard with a VA loan under my belt as my fiancée does as well.

Stay away from out of state deals (at least for now), get a few rentals under your belt first.

Now I consider it just so I can get (in there) 3-5 under my belt.

Than with a few properties under the belt, thats when you can start bringing in specialized systems.  

Take that proof of concept and capability after done successfully to other investors/potential investors for capital raise when you have data/deals under your belt. 2.

Small multifamily properties have been the most attractive to us though because (1) the cost of entry isn't too high, (2) we don't have a ton of properties under our belts - so we still qualify for residential financing and (3) with low vacancy rates and/or delinquencies we don't have to worry too much about having to carry the debt service and expenses - even with 1 in 4 units vacant or late on rent, we're not blowing our cash flow.

If your buying in or around the Atlanta Belt line it shouldn't be in hopes of appreciation.