My suggestion is to define why you want rental real estate and then you can source markets and asset classes that cater to your personal life goals. 

It is this process that they make sure the buyers and investors who purchase these homes have a good renovation plan and the resources available to ensure the homes become an asset for the neighborhood.Here is how the process works:1.  

Currently we focus on large multifamily assets, but through 2015 we did over $3M in flipping single families.

Is it mom and pop or more regional to national quality type assets?     

I an currently in financing, I'm an assistant branch manager at a financial institution.

I wouldn't recommend this asset class for a new, out of state investor.

Depending Neighborhood, Asset Type Etc.

Ok, I'm wanting to get into buy & hold but either I am at the state of 'analysis paralysis' or I am not really financially ready to do it.  

Almost all short sales forgive the remaining balance, but the owner needs to "qualify" for the short sale due to a financial hardship, not simply just being upside down on the mtg.

Likely they will stay below 5% for the next 12 months and depending on the Presidential election and who gets elected, they could stay below 5% for considerably longer.Eventually in 4-8 years, they will be back to 6-6.5% which is where the financial system hums right along.