This can definitely work, as long as expectations are managed and rules are established. 

I would buy a well stabilized asset, established tenants and property managers, something that is hands off.

Make sure there is more than one established industry that is creating jobs and be wary of areas that rely heavily on industries that are volatile by nature and cycle through booms and busts regularly.

If you show that in the next two years you could most likely also work at the same time on building credit, saving for the 3.5% down and closing costs, and paying off bills while establishing a bank account.

I usually start with the youngest looking, newest broker because they are still building their investor base and have more time to work with you than the well established brokers do.

a few of the younger ones do at times but many of the officers and others that are more established generally gravitate to choctaw or even moore. 

I hope some established firms can help me better navigate my processes.

Tech companies are continuously moving here and establishing a footprint in Columbus as well.

If you were to wait you might run into cooling weather and things might not have been established and you could have a palace inside but if people are driving by a wreck, there goes your first impression.

In the meantime, try to get access to more deals whether it be through your own marketing, networking with realtors to bring you deals(although be careful because they'll tell you anything is a deal to make a commission) or some established wholesalers that can send you off market properties.