I think a majority of them are thieves and thrive on nativity.

I know times must have been tough at some points, but you thrived and made it out alive.

If you can survive the challenges of operating this "tweener" properties you'll be better prepared to survive and thrive as the size of your properties grow. 

There are ways to thrive in Austin for rental properties but don't try to force a square peg in a round hole.

This is a 10 unit property off a main road in a thriving commercial district.

The Investors Guide to Growing Wealth in Self Storage: The Step-By-Step Playbook for Turning a Real Estate Asset Into a Thriving Self Storage Business by AJ Osborne is a good place to start too. 

However as Robert Kiosaki states in Rich Dad Poor Dad, the key to success is just like the game of Monopoly (four green houses…one red hotel).

With a $400k budget, your choice of Phoenix is excellent as it's a thriving market.

Wouldn't it be easier and simpler in the long run buying the Hotels and not Green houses faster?

I pretty much think about real estate investing every day at my 9-5 (7:30-4:45 cough) and know that it is something I not only think I would love doing, but would thrive at.