I'm a lender local here to Cleveland right downtown and know the market very well.  

Do we focus on flipping, (currently we have actually been trying to do this, but we physically can't find enough contractors in our smaller market <100K population to do that much work).

In suburban Chicago, historical significance or celebrity ties might create a niche appeal, but they won’t necessarily drive up the home’s market value in the same way as location, condition, and local comps.For a short-term rental, though, it could be a great marketing angle—especially if the person is well-known and has a strong local connection.

Finding a potential lot won’t be hard but getting a local municipality to give you the green light to build an MHP is going to be next to impossible.

I am new to real estate investing and looking to connect with any local investor. 

Not only do some landlords allow their personal and political ideology to be in the mix, but many do not understand how to manage this population.

I will be doing my own research on local laws & regulations, but want to do this 100% by the books.

The big pros are the strong job market (lots of major employers), good population growth, and still-reasonable entry prices.

We’re considering reaching out to local hospitals to offer it as housing for travel nurses and doctors, but we’d love to hear any advice or suggestions on the best approach this?

Stay disciplined and avoid rushing into deals without thorough due diligence.Resources for InvestorsIf you’re new to investing in distressed properties or looking to expand your portfolio, consider leveraging resources like:Local Realtors: Realtors specializing in distressed properties can assist in locating off-market deals and navigating complex transactions.Community Forums: Attend a local investor meetup or join online forums for the Phoenix market.Educational Tools: Search out webinars, workshops, or courses on investing in distressed properties.Final ThoughtsThe distressed property market in Phoenix is creating some excellent potential for the right investors willing to go the extra mile necessary to take on strategic risks associated with this category of real estate.