Hey Chris, I’d recommend to start in your own state if you can.

@Joshua Ryan Lindsay If it was me, I'd rent it.

I'd be going to as many in-person networking events as possible...here is a list of the BP events:  https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-real-estate-events-...I have a separate list that is more encompassing that I can share as well!

I’d have to keep costs low for it to work.

I'd do more construction projects if more private construction inspectors existed.

@Kareem Hammad With that amount of a down payment, I'd concur with @Julia Lyrberg suggestion about house hacking and expand from there. 

I'd like to take a look at it.

I'd be happy to walk through any more questions so feel free to DM me.

I'd like something that's based on stability (retention) and income.

Most lending is based on cashflow, not the 2% rule (although still a good rule of thumb for some types of investments), might have the most help from the group if you provided some of those details here just so it'd be easier for us to help you best.