Now is a solid time to start strategizing your plan of attack before rates go down and AZ turns into a madhouse again. 

Looking to get started in my investment journey and trying to figure out some criteria on where to invest.

Therefore I'm now looking to start investing in RE in the U.S - prefer neighboring states like New York (Buffalo?)

I haven't personally looked, but depending on how far you consider "something nearby" you could start to look towards Bakersfield/Fresno or moving east.

Does it make sense to hold onto the LLC, I created or start fresh once I have a stronger portfolio?  

I just started a new job with a rather long unemployment gap.

Agreed but improving..Not for STR though :)  Perhaps, but they are starting to take a page out of NYC in terms of residency requirements.https://www.steadily.com/blog/airbnb-short-term-rental-laws-...

I've been in construction for almost 20 years at this point and I've decided to start my own business.

US 10 year Treasury yields tumbled (by nearly 10 basis points today and counting..) with the latest inflation metrics showing a dip last month indicating the Federal Reserve could start to lower interest rates this year with a now 80% chance of a September rate cut. 

I have enough put away to purchase a few properties for rentals and kick start everything with a faster scale and keeping reserves on hand.