Even small raises in increments are more likely to do harm than good.

The down payment for the first property is $400,000 x 25% = $100,000.Because you purchased in a location with rapid appreciation, the market value rises rapidly.

Prices and rents only rise rapidly if there is sustained and significant population growth.

@Hans .Suljic Indianapolis and Grand Rapids might be some good markets to look at. 

I use mine as an operating account, with good cashflow the balance can be rapidly reduced and you are more liquid every month

This approach can help you grow your portfolio more rapidly by recycling your initial investment. 

Therefore, the increase is incremental over the next 12 months.

As to your goals, most in RE want a job, that's what cash flow is, if you don't spend it all and you reinvest  cash in increments, eventually you can build wealth.

Given that you were spending six figures previously that's a pretty rapid change.

I noticed that there are large, inexpensive homes in Tobyhanna and that the Zestimate valuations of these homes on Zillow is rapidly decreasing, often many thousands of dollars over the course of a month.