Also, when it comes to sharing my investment goals (on social media or in conversations), do you think it’s more effective to highlight specific deals I’m working on or just my overall strategy?

I have no experience in real estate investing and don't want to waste my time in something and then end up somewhere else down the road and realize I should have started there.  

I ended up investing out of state in a more landlord friendly / cost effective market.First thing I'd recommend is figuring out your investing strategy (single family / small multi-family 2-4 units) and attend some local meet ups to network with other investors to learn from their mistakes.

So I am posting hoping for any further advice or recommendations that could help me avoid pitfalls or avoid wasting time. 

Anyone can promise you the moon and the stars, but if you're not careful, you will end up wasting time and losing money.

The lock-in effect of the period from 2016-2022 when interest rates were super low, causing owners with those low rates to not want to sell? 

Simplifying to a single operational entity (Series LLC) for rentals and management can effectively meet your goals while minimizing costs.

@Amere Mack UPDATE My honest opinion don't waste your time.

I do think its more effective because you get to see whats out there. 

To do this successfully, you'll need to find reliable and cost-effective contractors and tradespeople.