With regard to your price point, if your primary goal is cash flow, you don't even need to going that high.

My goal is to invest in a multifamily (4 doors or more) and this may be possible by selling my primary residence or HELOC.

In my search for properties, my goal has been to find what besides price is making a seller want to sell.

The goal this summer is to start the process and see where it leads. 

My (relatively) short term goal is to be financially independent by 35.

My number one goal for 2018 was creating a financial plan for my fiancee and I to support our early retirement goals, and that led me to real estate. 

We are half through the year and half way to our goal of 15 properties this year and we are working on closing on 6 loans in the next 2 weeks and another 5 in the next few months. 

First, be sure that you goals are actually the same goals.

-Currently focused on  acquiring property and building equity in homes (next 1-5 years) with larger cashflow as a long-term goal (years 5-10).Thanks again to everyone for creating a great community-Kent

I think it makes sense to go ahead and build relationships with local banks since they can be important partners in achieving your goals.