The average 1st time homebuyer is 37 currently.

Every where you turn there are STRs going up on the market fully furnished because they couldn't pay the mortgage and bills with the rental income. 

The second seller gets payments on a new note worth $1.35 million.You the buyer received the taxable income event from the sale of the first property.

I currently use apartments.co for screening and rent collection.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I invest with PPR and other income funds through my IRAs.

Quote from @Kaushik Sarkar: I’m exploring strategies to scale my real estate portfolio given the current mortgage rate Not sure much makes sense at 11%...Ouch....tough enough at 7.5%   Might have to put more than 20% down to finance....maybe 30% in North Texas.   

Quote from @Roger Paschal: Quote from @Quentin Hollis: I'm currently working on my first real estate deal and will be buying a property subject to the owners existing mortgage.

I would underwrite buyers based on stability of income, financial payment history & ability to pay.

Congrats on your success so far.Some random thoughts for you:- It might be difficult to tap the equity in the rental at this time given the current state of interest rates.