The issues can be local so look for someone in your area who is posting and try to contact.   

Or should I wait it out a couple of years until I have a larger amount saved up.

dont over think this its not that complicated. important issues are.1. cost of capital2. knowing what a deal is or is not.3. good reno crew or contractor  4. good agent that will tell you straight what its worth when done and what level you should rehab to.5. a market that is actually moving napkin math works  trying to drill down to decimal points does not.

For the first time in years I’ve noticed many of the larger apartment complexes even offering the first month free to fill vacant units, so it’s clear that demand is down.

You can find online which larger institutions are buying in a specific area and try and reach out to them.

@Matthew Posteraro I wouldn't necessarily say that it is a way to make them more hands-off by scaling up to larger properties.

A few issues I have faced:1.

We were fortunate in that we didn’t have too many issues with crime.

(larger would require fire sprinklers). 

I see two separate issues.1.