Throwing money into a property is easy; throwing money into the right property, then managing it well is the hard part.1.

It is fairly well known... 

Learn how to manage it well.

Have also done work in DC and Maryland and would say Virginia has significant benefits over DC and Maryland because it is more business friendly and jurisdictions are willing to work with not against developers on projects I mentioned as well as you mentioned With the federal government and government contractors not going away - area is great for investment.

I live and invest in Milwaukee since 2007, so probably a little bias here, but we are set up very well for future growth. 

Perhaps this is their argument as well?  

Hello everyone,I am from Alexandria, VA located at the border of Washington DC and Prince George County, MD working for a kitchen and bath remodeling company since 2017 known as European Granite Design that also fabricates granite, quartz, marble and quartzite countertops since 2003.I'm experienced Sales and project manager also designs kitchens & bathrooms for remodeling.Using my expertise and connections I want to start working for myself flipping old condos or houses in the Washington DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia (DMV) area.

Your plumber/GC should/should have definitely know(n). 

I would be buying into a sellers market in almost any Albertan city.Alberta also worries me as it is known to be super volatile for short periods of time and then sit dormant for up to a decade. 

Austria, Germany, Luxembourg; these immediately come to mind as "ancient" developed areas in contrast to the "infant" that is USA, and they seem to be doing very well, very efficient, very well setup and established across the strata's.