The market I really want to be in, is a small mountain town where inventory is insanely limited.

I also like some of the apartment inventory in Lake County. 

Hey Sharma, if you know all the risks associated with buying RE and doing section 8 there, then by all means go for it.Lots of people are telling others to "go there" because the inventory is high and people need to get rid of it.As someone else mentioned, before you make any investments, go drive around and make a decision for yourself if you want to invest there.One last piece of advice: Don't just look at the numbers.

If you have inventory in your area that require renovations, distressed homes, outdated and you can pick it up for a good deal.

Housing inventory in Austin rose to 5.4 months, which is over one month higher than the greater metro’s 4.3 months of inventory.

Is there an alternative to loopnet / costar as a commercial inventory broker tool?

Pick an area and make an inventory of all of the locations.

It's a good market if you stick to the inventory that requires some updating, renovations and minor repairs.

Lately with interest rates being higher and inventory being lower I've found it harder to find deals with significant cash flow in an area I want to invest in.  

High prices + high mortgage rates + low inventory is making this a challenge.