However, both areas have experienced steady growth in population and job opportunities over the past decade, which bodes well for long-term property values.

Slow and steady may win the race.

Though there is fluctuation with move-ins and move-outs, it provides a steady stream of income and units are refilled on a regular basis. 

Pest control will push the contracts because they want the steady revenue coming in to pay the employees.if it isn't bad you can http://doyourownpestcontrol.com/It is your choice.

Most real estate investors are slow, steady, and patient.Learning how to manage your rentals well is far more important than scaling fast. 

@Syed Mehdi,  Florida markets are steady and we've been doing the tourist destination market for about 70 years...the Emerald Coast is tried and proven. 

I think we could get them once in a while, but I don't think it would be a frequent or steady stream of income for us.  

You also have the ability to diversify your units with the steady LTR rents helping with vacancies for the MTR units.

Most small investors do not have means to purchase a 50 unit and settle for sfh, duplexes, when the economy is good there are fewer job loss, when the unemployment rate rises, the assumption of getting steady rent becomes difficult to maintain.

I'd focus on steady Markets in cities with GROWTH and bet on the long term appreciation.