One common advice I have noticed is purchasing a duplex or multi family home in your area or at least 30 miles within proximity.

Not all areas are bad , but that can be block by block . 

I can talk about the Triad area of North Carolina. 

Even the cheap "cashflow" areas right now don't cashflow after real cap/ex costs, maybe on an excel sheet they do.

We are also in an area with a low entry point for home buyers so someone thinking of spending $2000 or more for rent is also in the market to potentially buy a home as well which makes the "higher" end rentals a bit tougher to fill except for folks that are building their Dream home and not done yet or in OKC for the short term for a job or family situation.  

Hi BP,My partner and I have set our sights on purchasing our first investment property in the central Oklahoma/Edmond area.

Check the lease - does it say anything about common areas? 

After taxes and fees, and depending on if you plan to depreciate it at all, you may not have to pay anything or much in taxes. 7-22k spread minus closing costs (also the eviction costs are a write off as well) isn't going to be too much in taxes depending on what you decide to do. 

I would suggest seeking out a mentor and going to some local meetups in your area and learn from the pro's that go there to network. 

I will send you a private message with my guy Francisco, a super sharp HVAC sub in Chicago.I'm a software engineer at an online retailer specializing in HVAC equipment.