Lots of good choices! 

Smoky Mountains seems to be a solid choice but I wonder about oversaturation and competition in that area?  

Suggestions are welcome, also looking to connect with people interested in a mutually beneficial relationship!

@Cheng ChuMcKinney is a fantastic market with strong population growth, and it’s a great choice for single-family home (SFH) investments.

The only instance where it might be more beneficial to do it this way vs. getting financing right off the bat is if you need to be SUPER competitive with your offers in your market.

Austin is a fantastic market, with its growing tech presence and vibrant culture, making it a great choice for your future career. 

Using LVP was a smart choice—it holds up well when wet and is cost-effective to replace.

El Paso cash flows beautifully with minimum down payment and has plenty of choices.

If there is a choice to be made, it comes down to what an investor "likes" or prefers about one over the other? 

A small multifamily property is a smart choice for a first investment—it offers a great balance of income potential and manageable scale for someone new to the space.Don’t worry about being ambitious; it’s clear you’ve done your homework, and you’re already ahead of the game by setting a clear goal.