So I currently have a townhouse and we are going to buy something that fits our family a little better in a few months. 

I particularly like the value-add strategy since it puts equity growth within my control.At the end of the day you can be successful in real estate investing 50 different ways so it just comes down to deciding which strategy is the best fit for you.

Nothing wrong with that if the deal fits your investment criteria.

@Jason Appel I view deal criteria and a checklist [I call this due diligence] as two separate things, and I use the same system for every single deal.

Really depends on what type of investment property our investors are looking for, there's a pocket in the Columbus market to fit everyones Niche(within reason!)

I didn't want to have to have separate apps for rent and accounting and expenses.

Pick one to two areas of real estate investing that fit and interest you and become experts in those areas. 

Im doing a farm house style remodel to fit the area.

I'm learning about multiple investment strategies and will ultimately choose one that I think best fits our market.

Interview several of them until you find one that is genuine, is the right fit with who you are, and has your interests in mind.