It's a great place to meet some locals with intimate knowledge of the Youngstown market.

I am a newbie and looking to eventually get into the Birmingham market.  

One of the worst housing markets in the country, 27% of homes still severely underwater nearly a decade after the last financial crisis.

Consider markets like King's Mountain and Jacksonville, which offer the potential for appreciation and rental demand.

However you are familiar with the AK market, local contacts, etc.

Should I be looking elsewhere if nothing on the market in my area cashflows at 7%?

Also, I'm very curious what is forecasted for the wholesale market in your region after the recent hurricane, any opinions?

You can post on Zillow yourself and you will have to show it or you can hire a realtor and they will show the property for you as well as do further marketing.

How is the STR or MTR market in that city ? 

There's no mention here of material participation and if their income isn't fairly high, there are probably better strategies and it might be a greater benefit to them to spread that depreciation out over a standard schedule.