You could be an active investor, who finds deals, raises capital, puts deals together, and manages the asset during the hold period.

Its going to be a challenge to find a lender period.

Many of these systems require scales of efficiency small DIY landlords can't afford, especially for Class B & C properties/tenants.Biggest issue you want to investigate if their "boots on the ground" for inspections, maintenance and showings.

Sorry, I was a college football coach in my previous professional life and I like efficient meetings!

Hi Chris,Adding to what Jamie said just because you can build a larger duplex does not mean it is the most efficient use of that foot print within the setbacks. 

The buyer is willing to lease the property for a period of time.

Our worst appreciation over the hold period is in excess of $1900/month.  

Period.

or is there a more efficient way to research cities to find out what's best for me?

And, bam, that shifts her into the same category as seasonal workers and part time workers (there are no more "Stated Income" loans, we have to go off of what HR puts in writing), which in turn triggers the long term 2 year average derived from when HR put her in that part time category, which I'm speculating here may very well have been 5 months ago, or some other period of time less than 2 years ago.