I work with investors who buy in both, so that's always a strategy. 

I am hoping to house hack again either in the same town or one closer to where I work. 

Hello all My name is Steve and I’m a foreign investor investing in Jacksonville FL.I am based in Israel and am working from far.

Do a thorough research, make sure you understand how the market works and build a solid team from lenders, contractors, PM and realtor.

Plently of people to do the work.. that's not hard..

It's gonna work!

Hi Yu Jin,Dayton is a step up from Toledo but also comes with a step up in price.The numbers make sense in many Ohio cities.You make money when you buy and not when you sell.So look for off market (We do a lot of direct to seller), negotiate hard, buy with cash and buy quickly.Great deals don't last so you need to know the numbers very well in your target market.I've flipped hundreds of properties in Toledo since 2014 and am glad to say that I know the market like my back pocket.All I need is the address, scope of work and how much I can buy it for.Quick access to AREIS, the MLS to run comps and "ka ching".I know if it's a deal or not.Immerse yourself in the market and become a market expert on the numbers.Nothing comes easy mate and all good things take time.If you are looking to build a rental portfolio in Ohio you have to build a big one.Buying 1 or 2 properties and expecting a significant impact to your bottom line from a net-worth or cashflow standpoint isn't worth the risk IMO.In all sub $100,000 markets, it's important to build a large portfolio as there is a high likelihood that you will have repairs and vacancy on 1 or 2 properties at any given moment.Just my opinion and all the best.

Land contract is what would work best for you in that environment.

As much as my short term rentals are constant work at least I don’t have to put up with long term pain. 

@Lauren Powell, what vetting does the company you are working with (Velur Enterprises) provide?