Where we’re located it’s 30 minutes to the north and I can find multiple homes at a low introductory cost (20-40k) and to the south I can find 100-150k.My question as a new investor looking to grow and hopefully make some success, is there more value in the long run to multiple lower income properties vs. a single higher income property?

@Lamont Marable  maybe the small meetup group Landlord411 will grow to take it's place.

It is a phenomenal forum - and your appreciation of the forum will only grow over time; as you move forward in your RE pursuits,  it'll become an increasingly invaluable resource.You mention that you're using an IRA-LLC to invest and are considering MI, OH, and IN.

So I'm growing my wealth both: inside of qualified accounts as well as personally.

ROE over 5 years is too low (I want 15%), you’re creating zero property value and your ROE in this example is being largely impacted by your 3% annual property value growth, that’s a bit high for me at this part of the cycle (2% would make me more comfortable) I would also make the assumption that your rents and expenses are growing in lock step. 

Such as, what is driving the economic growth - which businesses are moving to town, where are apts being build within the market, which part of town is growing the fastest.

What is your strategy for growing and what do you think I could do to grow larger/faster?

Personally, I want to learn the ins and outs and grow out of the position of being "on call."

IF you are serious about RE this is the fastest and lowest risk way to get going.Forget about someone posting here how you can get a 100% loan and buy houses without any money at all.

Build up a 'business' relationship and grow from there.