But, it's critical to evaluate the state of the local market, your capacity for managing several properties, and the possibility for cash flow.If you see great potential for long-term appreciation and are okay with the higher property price, option 2 can be a good course of action.

I would recommend looking for local meetups.

I generally like local options! 

YES go FB local forums 

I'd be happy to connect and share some local groups to join.

Have you tried facebook groups and attending local meetings?

I’m local to you in the St.

Reach out to local PM's that specialize in the area. 

Grocery-anchored neighborhood centers, on the other hand, are highly sought after and often command cap rates in the 6% to 7% range, with better quality assets pushing well into the 5% region.For example, institutional investment manager Nuveen acquired Peachtree Crossing in Atlanta for $21.8 million, or $270/SF, in January 2024.

Why not reach out to a local architect whom does residential work to assist?