My girlfriend said I should start looking at houses in the area, but I told her I don't know the price range.

There’s consistent job and population growth, tons of business travel and university demand, and it’s still affordable enough that properties in the $120–180K range can cash flow and hit the 1% rule.

Once you feel comfortable with this first property, leveraging a HELOC for a multi-family purchase in the $400k–$500k range can be a great way to scale your portfolio efficiently while using the equity you’ve already built.

For example if the credit score is below the good range but other criteria are met am I allowed to reject the tenant based on credit. 

I'm talking around the 100k range and nearly hitting the 1% rule. 

Economy:Strong, diverse economy.

My target is the $80K–$125K range in landlord-friendly markets with steady job growth.

We dropped to my initial suggested price and phone rang off the hook and we got it leased to what I hope will be a great long term tenant.   

A few tips to expand your network and maximize connections in Dayton and Columbus:Build a solid buyers list: Segment by property type, price range, and investment strategy so you can match deals faster.Leverage local REI meetups: Even casual networking events in Dayton and Columbus can help you find new buyers and JV partners.Partner with local agents & contractors: They can give you early insight on distressed properties or motivated sellers.Share your knowledge: Posting deal analysis, market insights, or lessons learned can position you as a go-to wholesaler in the community.Document your process: A repeatable system for sourcing, vetting, and presenting deals keeps your business efficient and professional.

I'm looking at multi units in the 2-4 range and also units in the commercial range with 5 to 6 units.