When it comes to geographic metrics items like job growth, rent growth, employment diversification, local landlord laws/regulations and population growth.

Are these areas good investments for renting out and future growth?

Military towns typically have a good long term growth forecast. 

It is an SFR with a detached in-law suite, so it has two rental incomes, just like a duplex, but has the LT equity growth of an SFR. 

It is a mundane task with not much reward (except if you think your bookkeeper is going to steal from you and you count not being stolen from in the reward category).Good luck with your approach.  

Congrats on your move and your chance for growth. 

If you want/need the cash, why not 1031 into something that will clearly have a lot of equity afterword thanks to the exchange and then refi the cash back out so you can have it tax free (and keep/grow the portfolio)??

Detroit is slowly falling off the map and has been for decades...this isn't changing, Phoenix is next level...high growth and rapid appreciation...i.e. unaffordable...and Plano is not really an option unless you are looking at serving affluent tenants...I think Columbus is head and shoulders above any of these markets...it's arguably the premier investment destination in the US right now.

I may know couple of people locally here in Chicago who might help too.I've used Upwork to get tasks done like that and honestly been extremely helpful!

I prefer to break it down by "task" and add it up from there.