Like most markets, there is a growing trend in the area due to affordability and increasing more things to do. 

While Johnson City might not have the pull of Pigeon Forge, it offers an authentic mountain experience that could attract hikers, history buffs, and visitors to nearby national parks.

Build a system that attracts the right audience.

That sounds like massive renos (ie new floors, painting...).Yes as you acquire more properties, the chances of having multiple vacancies (no matter how leases are staggered) increases.

not everyone wants to be a landlord.. there is a whole bunch of real estate that does not include landlording.. or landlording at small SFR levels so take those comments with a grain of salt  those investors basically focus on that one thing and that is buying the next rental to increase their cash flow by 200 a month.. 

That helps some...but your variable expenses also go up too - property insurance & taxes - so a lot of your rent increases go to offset rising variable expenses.I started at the age of 47 in 2018 and we bought properties fast and furious - 12 the first year, 10 the next, and 9 in 2021 and currently have 38 properties. 

This eliminates the problem of increasing your debt and damaging your credit score.

The best way to solve this situation now would be by ensuring you've presented the units in the most attractive way possible.

Thus increasing density ratio.

I recently came across a property through an agent with attractive numbers for a house flip.