Investors typically grade areas based on a lettering system A-C/D.

Columbus will likely see the fastest appreciation just based on the rate the city is growing, but in Cleveland you will see high cash-flow and Cincinnati is a great mix of both. 

Be careful of someone that wants to "partner" with you and ask you to use your credit.Can be a good idea, but only if serious partnership agreement created by your attorney (not theirs).You can also start building your network to find opportunities to refer out and learn from.Per this NY Times article, the average American knows around 600 people.https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/science/the-average-american-knows-how-many-people.html#:~:text=The%20average%20American%20knows%20about,do%20you%20know%20named%20Kevin%3FPer the US Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 time in their life, which based upon an approximate lifespan of 84 years, works out to be about every 7 years.https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/calculating-migration-expectancy.html#:~:text=Using%202007%20ACS%20data%2C%20it,one%20move%20per%20single%20yearSo, if the average American knows 600 people and they each move about every 7 years, that means that the average American knows around 85 people that move in any given year.How many of those moves do you want to be involved in?

I would recommend first establishing what your financing options are based on your cash on hand and cashflow expectations....  5% down? 

I'm basing this on what I've seen in agricultural investing in Central and South America.

While it is also true that Chicago leans tenant friendly, you can mitigate a lot of that risk by investing in areas that have a stronger tenant base.

 Continue buying, keeping some and flipping Anything in my market where the net cap is 20% ish based on cash purchase. 

Most of the compensation earned by General Partners is NOT at the start of the deal but rather at the END of the deal based on how well - how profitable the deal is. 

They can take out enough for a down payment for the next house and a little extra to put into savings as a "What if" fund maybe 3-6 months PITI based on the new home payment.

Loan would be based on ARV and typically at 75% LTV for a cash out if you are looking to pull as much equity out.