All else being equal, lower mortgage rates reduce the cost of ownership and, thereby, allow more people to afford to buy.

Highlights:* no prepay on 12 mo bridge* 6 months guaranteed interest on a 24 month bridgeThese are interest only loans and the DSCR calculation isn’t a factor in the lending decision.Compare the cost of your lower interest rate DSCR loan, including PPP versus what the bridge would cost at a higher interest rate and no or minimal PPP.PPP=pre payment penalty :)

For example, I know a lady in my local market that is very successful in the land business and has developed a niche that cashflows very nicely, without a lot of stress, as she puts it though I can't imagine how that is possible. 

Usually, tenants are receptive to the idea but I also wonder if tenants with a higher credit score care less about this feature than ones with a lower credit score who are actively working to rebuild their credit?

Panicking sellers may temporarily drive prices lower, but stabilization is expected.

I have several clients who have invested in Vegas and had a lot of success but now they're focusing more in the southern/middle part of the country because the price points are lower and the laws are more landlord friendly.

I get it.. the deadlines can feel stressful.

One of the biggest risks I observe with flips and first time investors are instances where the project goes over budget or gets stuck in mud, can't sell and even worse the borrower doesn't have the credit profile to refinance out to a lower interest lending source if borrower is required to hold the property as a rental. 

If your goal is to offset your mortgage with a house hack then Lowell would be a good bet, but if you're looking for a longer term appreciation play then the areas closer to the city would be better, although the offset from cashflow may be lower than what you're looking for.A good step for you would be to dig into specific areas more as @Lien Vuong noted above.

I've acted as a "deal warning person" to many new California and a few NYC investors who I've talked to in person, Zoom, and phone calls who want to buy the Midwest or South because the price points are lower.