I am aware there are potentially better markets but I have worked hard to establish networks in both of these places.

@Marco Santarelli  although many who buy cash flow are speculators as well they are speculating on a property that has no history of revenue.. they are buying based on proforma... unlike establish multi family or commercial property were one might have 2 years tax returns and actual books and records to see how the property is performing and then base a purchase price on that..

A Pro member can just as easily have false or misleading information as a member with a free account.Posts and votes certainly can help establish credibility in the sense that it is tough to get to 1,000 posts without providing at least a little bit of value.  

Even with bad credit you can get funding to buy a property and establish cashflow but at some point you have to remember to pay for the opportunity extended to you. 

The only thing we know for fact is that will cost you about double to refinance, now that that’s establish, it’s really your decision how you want to proceed. 

That means you establish a Traditional LLC to carry out the operations of your investments, in order to separate the liability from your assets, including: paying property management, paying contractors, collecting rent, marketing, etc.

At this time I think a buy and hold in a place like Philly would be the smartest option overall, but I can't help but wonder if paying 100K hard cash and then getting the mortgage during the first 6 months after the purchase would be the smartest way to go here.Even though we might only get an okish rate from the bank, I figure we would still be winning on multiple points, like establishing our own mortgage history as well as building equity as first time buyers.

Also - South Dakota is a 1 bite state meaning the dog's vicious propensity is established after only 1 attack - but sadly Animal Control here is a joke!!  

The tenant has over locations across the nation - so is a very established tenant.

I currently have an investment property and would love more in the future, but that is more of a 5 year plan after I get established and settled as a sales agent.