Pick a few neighborhoods within those areas and start tracking as much data as you can. 

Did you just pick a market and focus, or do you base your search more on the property and be willing to invest wherever the "deal" leads you.Thanks in advance for your responses, I look forward to hearing your answers.

This winter I got all of 3 weeks off before business picked up again.

In MN you don’t need an attorney, just pick a title company and they’ll do all the legwork.

If I had a property that I can either go 3 bdrm or 2 bdrm + 1 bdrm, I would pick the latest.

@David Smit On average, B type properties - solid middle/upper middle-class in good school districts will not cause your portfolio to suffer from losses.

Debt-financed rental income generates taxable UDFI.BTW, notes are also a great option for diversifying tax-sheltered retirement savings into a more stable asset class than equities. 

I am curious . in older mid west towns the condos are downtown walk to work and all the good resturants.. much of the D and F class is also urban core and will surround the down town areas or be pockets.. so yes you can have downtown hip and 1 mile away the HOOD.. just look at any Morris invest stuff he sold in INdy..  

Soak up all the free information from the articles, blogs, and podcasts. 2) Join your local real estate investors club and network with local investors and real estate professionals in your area.3) Interact with the experienced investors on here and pick their brains.Once you get a deal brewing, bring the deal here so the experienced ones can help you close it correctly.You are on the right track.

I would just pick something that doesn’t have any fees as long as you maintain a certain balance.