Or, does it even make sense to focus on greater Minnesota, and instead just look for deals closer to home? 

Eventually we sold off city properties and changed our focus to the suburbs and equity growth at least equally to cash flow.

Online coverage has been broad too, with a heavy East Coast focus but extending as far as the Time’s newspaper in the UK and James Edition in China. 

Another poster a few days ago asked a similar question and much of the advice was focusing on doing non-traditional MF.

We bought a small, poorly run (owner went through divorce) bakery so that we could focus on growing it rather than working it- we have employees for everything except marketing, which we will eventually turn over. 

Since this is a true side business for me and I don't want to leave my legal practice anytime soon, I'm going to focus on local properties. 

Cash flow and a rental market is all i focus on here.

Focus on the numbers and buy for the long-term.

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bp The second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

I would not focus on the best low ball number.