The big guys like Perma Seal and US Waterproofing always seem to be more expensive and have longer lead time but you can count on their quality until you get a more independent guy that has flexibility and is typically cheaper.   

It seems a more truthful approach is to help them sell their property and avoid the credit hit a foreclosure will produce since you are trying to buy the property (to flip or rent) rather than help them stay in their home.

I do not want to go into another vacation market but rather a metro area with a more diversified economy again just to get into a different type of asset.That being said I do want to continue to short term rent the next few properties we get at least in the first few years of ownership in order to increase cash flow to combat these higher prices and carrying costs before potentially converting to more passive long terms down the line.Therefore I am looking for markets that 1) have a decent draw of visitors year round 2) have regulations that allow strs in some parts of the city 3) Are in growing cities in the west or south.Below is a list of markets I have identified as potential places to look and I was hoping to get some insight from either other investors doing the same thing or agents/investors in any of these markets on whether this is potentially a good market to explore or not.1) Salt Lake City (this is right at the top of my list due to its proximity to ski resorts, expanding of the airport and long term strategic business planning of the area but I have very little knowledge of this market)2) Denver 3) Phoenix (used to live in AZ and like the fact that the state of AZ seems to look favorable on strs)4) Tucson (see above but lower home prices/potentially less appreciation)5) San Diego/LA (these are attractive because of their proximity to my home in Irvine)6) San Antonio (love that it is very close to the booming Austin and feel that this is a market that could see some real growth in the future)7) Tampa/St Pete (I have always been very interested in this market for both short term and long term rentals)8) Raleigh (have invested in Charlotte and love NC but again very little knowledge on this area)Any insights or advice on any of this would be greatly appreciated.

Our current property manager is not cutting the mustard (not enforcing late fees, slow to fill vacancies, etc.) and I would very much like to replace her with someone who will approach our investments with a more business minded attitude. 

A good PM can turn a mediocre investment into a solid return; a bad PM can ruin a good investment.A good PM can also help you narrow in on the best neighborhoods, cross-check what your REALTOR tells you, and line you up with solid contractors.I'm biased, but I don't think there's a more important person to have on your team.

Speaking broadly, I think the best investment strategy involves finding properties that aren't fully utilizing their income potential.At a more sophisticated level, that might mean buying a fourplex of large two-bedrooms, making relocation agreements with the tenants, remodeling the units into three-bedrooms, and then renting them out at market rents.

(This seems like a more complicated option.)

This will give you a clear idea of your budget and make you a more attractive buyer.Continuous Learning:Stay Informed: Real estate is an ever-changing field.

Perhaps buy a more modest primary residence and then invest in a small SFR in another, cheaper market OR find a city where you can find a duplex or Triplex allowing you to have a wall separating you from your tenant.

These markets are very large in NC (comparable and larger than Fayetteville) providing for great economics as well as a more diverse employment base.Doing a renovation is not as intimidating if you have the right team that can provide you comfort with before-and-after's of other projects they've done, plus accurate $s surrounding those projects.