Currently, my Air Force contract is ending so we will be relocating to the East Coast (somewhere in between Chicago and Washington D.C. and from Cleveland to Miami, we haven’t decided where yet) but we wouldn’t mind long-distance investing in places such as San Antonio or Phoenix.

There are some things that people often overlook when relocating that you couldn't foresee without actually experiencing it.

You have to assume that the current major employers (unless they are government or utilities) will die off over time.New business relocating to area - Unless new businesses are relocating to the area, the area is or will decline, as will your rent and property value.Population growth - Population trend is an excellent barometer.

@Mark Silva@Ned J.It would be great to connect.I grew up in Modesto and relocated to So-Cal in 2001, currently in Burbank CA.Still have most of my immediate family in Modesto, Manteca, Hilmar, Oakdale and Waterford.My sister in law runs her own PM company in Modesto which is arguably the most important component for buy/hold.Now if I could just figure out how to acquire some more property for her to manage...   

Reaching out to insurance companies, corporations, and relocation companies to either get direct contracts or to be listed on their preferred housing inventory list is necessary to maintain high occupancy coupled with continued high rent rates.

Hmm, Maryvale - If Maryvale had been built with an HOA, it would be Arcadia. 3rd generation Phoenicians thumb their noses, old heads remember water problems, while people relocating from NY/LA/Chicago think the crime rates are "cute".

The relocating person looking to have decent housing while figuring out exactly where and what to buy, because there more methodical and risk averse to just buying now and figure out later.

They'll do their best to soften the blow by helping the tenant with relocation.

By the time I got down doing surveys and getting lawyers involved, I could just pay to relocate his fence.

Speaking from my own experience, most of the large brokerages have rental departments with pools of potential tenants and companies with relocation clients.