I need to use leverage, and I need to buy in areas where property price and rent inflation is going to outpace the national average considerably over the long-term.

Last I heard we had a nation-wide GDP expansion of 2.9%, which is historically very good. 

You can never over learn something.Being an investor buying out of state is an easier start than buying in CA - Harder to get the cash flow and prices are always 2-4 times the national average. 

I think Nashville is insulated from a drop in the national market with all it has going for it like Lucius mentioned. 

Eden you can find highly trained and well qualified inspector from a national credited association tike InteNACHI https://www.nachi.org/certified-inspectors

@Jacob Goldstein - Check out the National Association of Residential Property Managers (https://www.narpm.org/).

Unfortunately, I do not have experience in such a thing, but do carry the passion to help make this a free market solution to the housing issues across the nation as well as hold the vision on how to put this all together.

i have contractors that are national specializing in large apartment renos both occupied & not.

We are a nation of intellectual cripples.Thinking and writing in vague go-go inspirational sayings doesn't change that.

Based on this year national report Winston-Salem made the top 10 of rent increases.