I am an Akron realtor/investor that self manages but have out of town investors and want to be sure not to recommend this person to them.If you are ever in a pinch or need someone to pop by one of your properties let me know and I can try to help out.

I recommend following Jesse Vasquez, he is an expert in MTR and can show you the ins and outs of this space. 

The W-7 form may look easy to complete, but we highly recommend finding a certified agent to handle it.

Based on my experience and in my opinion, I cannot recommend ABC Baltimore, Maverick Investor Group or Hipster Investments.The investment was a BRRR purchase in Baltimore where we would pay $106,000; $46,000 for the property + $60000 for a full rehab that was going to be completed in 120 days.

So a DIY method is not recommended unless you're actually qualified. 

Financial Planners all seem to recommend having a balance stock portfolio, so why wouldn't investors similarly have a balance real estate portfolio and do some of each?

Are there any that you would recommend?

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

If you can afford it, I would recommend a Triplex or even a 4 unit; because you are mitigating your risk and likely increasing your cash flow.

My hope in joining this community is to learn more from others with experience, get a better understanding of the real estate / rental market as a whole, learn best practices when considering an investment property, get recommendations on educational material, and make professional connections along the way.