In my area, I see a big need for a " military friendly" resource in the real estate market. 

You also tend to get more frequent and better feedback than with an STR, if you treat your residents well.The last quadrant, unnecessary but not obviously so, is usually as a result of either converting an STR to an MTR or from remodeling above the standard needed.

A lifelong friend and I are motivated to (virtually) meet and connect with those in REI working in the Pittsburgh area.I'm active duty military and living in California with two rental properties (one in Virginia Beach & one in Pittsburgh) and my close friend owns a single family in Baltimore.  

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52724-im-new-to-investing-how-do-i-find-an-investor-friendly-agent

Time is money and I prefer spending my time with my fam and friends instead of problem tenants and legal cases. 

Our DSCR product is very STR friendly and heavily lean on AirDNA data vs appraisal.  

Phoenix has been a hot market for rentals recently, but consider how long-term trends, interest rates, or construction projects might impact demand.Here’s a quick story: A friend of mine bought a new-build in a suburban development a few years back.

Reinforces the reality I thought we were living in vs what my landlord friends who bought in 2020/2021 have been saying to me ie just do it.

I navigate through cities and towns, identifying areas that are both friendly and challenging for STRs.

Both Indianapolis and Louisville are excellent markets to consider—affordable entry points, landlord-friendly laws, and steady rental demand.Since your background is in data science and analytics, you already have a strong foundation for analyzing deals.