However, this shouldn't discourage you; instead, it might encourage you to be more selective in your choices.

These condo boards are so irresponsible and just keep paying issues along, it's going to happen sooner or later.Thanks for the encouragement.

@Ray Li In my day job, I mainly interact with individuals who own vacation rental (or Airbnb) properties looking for vacation rental property managers.  

Although it did light a match under us and kick started us, but have found more success by interacting on here and local REI groups and simply taking ACTION!

I would buy 1, wait 6 months to make sure everything is settled in: all the post-purchase stuff that gets found can be fixed, you've established a little how you will interact with the management team, etc.

I would encourage you to make an appointment with some local property managers that know your market really well. 

Hey everyone, haven't posted here in a while, but I seriously could use some advice, encouragement, and perspective at the moment. 

I welcome any pieces of advice or words of encouragement as I begin my path in real estate.  

I know I heard on one of the podcasts (where at an auction- they have a reserve price- and they have their people place bids to get it up to that price so they can encourage other people to bid higher), so I think this applies to the exact same situation.

If you don't choose Memphis for the subsequent property you add another market to visit, another PM to interact with, another market to track, etc.