Factor property taxes in as one input, then settle the bigger question first: are you buying for cash flow or appreciation? Property taxes hit your cash flow every month and vary widely by state and even by county, so they belong in the math. They just shouldn't drive the whole decision. Cash flow generally needs a lower price point, which points you toward markets with strong price-to-rent ratios. Indiana has screened well on that ratio while also having real job and economic growth behind it, and that combination beats cheap for cheap's sake. Many Southeast markets that were cash-flow darlings have already seen prices run up as builders and large corporate buyers moved in, which compresses the very returns that made them attractive. Our other lens is price relative to value. We'd buy in almost any state if we're getting a genuine discount to market, and we'd take on a distressed property or a distressed seller to get that discount rather than insisting on turnkey. The discount protects you, because nobody can promise which market appreciates fastest. Before you commit to any specific property, run the real numbers with taxes, insurance, and maintenance included. If you want the financing side pressure-tested, the free Roadmap conversation takes about 20 minutes and we run your real numbers.