My end goal is to fire my employer and focus on a rental portfolio.

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-bpThe 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'm interested in 4-plexs under 300k with value-add potential in the Kansas City and KC metro areas, but want to narrow the areas I'm looking to get better focus and understand the values of that area.

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 am right In that area and focus in and around those markets.

Anyone focusing their efforts on foreclosures is probably also saving up money to buy a Blockbuster Video franchise.

But it's so hard to tell from a distance and I am one of those people that doesn't like to depend on agents or anyone to do my due diligence for me, so I end up pretty much focusing on markets that I know myself which are the neighboring states like Nevada, Arizona and to a lesser extent Utah or Idaho. 

There is a shortage of skilled tradespeople and while I hear many focusing on recruiting people to these jobs, I’ve focused on changing what these jobs are!

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.

Very few people understand Baltimore better than me, I own rentals, help run a construction company that focuses on investors, and do project management for out of state investors.