These markets tend to attract a lot of investor activity, which can drive prices up, leading local homeowners to take on more debt to afford homes in their area."

But basically no take up. 

I started my OOS HML  career in Detroit and that was 2002 and WOW coming from our area what an education I got.. my clients that were doing turnkey at the time and all the buyers were out of state ( basically LA based) the local on the ground operator was very good he had all sorts of tricks to try to keep the houses safe.. the one i really liked was painting the copper pipes grey so thieves would not steal them..

Drive for dollars in all of the multifamily areas, especially closest to you.

LOTS of rentals there it seems.El Paso is about a 12hr drive for me from Dallas. 

@Jewell ArceneauxHow to drive ARV (my opinion)Improvements that drive the ARV the most: Roof, New Kitchen & Bathrooms, Flooring, PaintImprovements that DON’T drive the ARV as much: Windows, Landscaping, Driveway, Rough Plumbing & Electrical

I flip in areas I'm familiar with but even if not, it's not complicated to formulate comps from basic google searches.

We basically want property to generate some cash flow and long term appreciation.

Basically could say im a street kid who abandoned all the ******** and people from that life two decades ago and I desired more and achieved it both in monetary and goodness.

Find something in state or the next state over that is in driving distance.