I also would advise anyone thinking about investing tens of thousands (or more) of dollars and guaranteeing hundreds of thousands more in loans, etc. to spend time and money traveling to that market and really learn about it. 

Our criteria is to find and I’m merging market that we wouldn’t mind traveling to if needed.

@Alex Olson The goal is to be able to manage the property when in town (currently Tulsa, but wouldn't mind moving if the deal was good too good to pass up) but still be able to leave for a month at a time to visit family and travel.

Here's one to add to your list of COVID issues: The COVID travel restrictions have caused it harder to go see properties.

@Tom PricePurchase price, labor paid for others, materials are some of the basic deductions you can write off.Some other items to consider are can you deduct items put into retirement accounts, health insurance, travel to and from the property, etc.

Imagine for a moment that you had an opportunity to travel anywhere in the world to take a six to twenty week internship position.

I love to travel and visiting the seven wonders of the world is a priority in my bucket list at the moment! 

I've lived and traveled most of the country. 

If you live hear and have traveled, then you know its a special place. 

Domestic travel will most likely come back before international travel.