If you offer air conditioning to your renters.

With the Shenandoah River running right through the Valley, it makes any property on the river a hot item but could potentially add additional insurance to the property for being in a flood zone.

If the competition has hot tubs, you need a hot tub.

Lots of old properties where I'm at, so it isn't unusual to expect $10k+ of capex out of the gate for water heaters, putting in central air possibly, and other old property issues.

Tried to get back into the REI game to buy a rental in early 2022, but I was only looking in "A" markets (had a single realtor giving me all the advice), and competition was way too hot, so I hit the pause.

I believe that successfully navigating this initial investment will pave the way for future opportunities, whether in the same market or elsewhere.Living in New York City, I faced a challenging market ;)I chose Montgomery, Alabama.Here's my process:I compiled a list of states with favorable landlord laws.Using Brightinvestor, I identified cities within those states where the median home price falls below the national average ($420k).I excluded cities with negative income growth and rising unemployment rates.I focused on cities with strong appreciation rates over the past five years (over 10%).I compared price-to-rent ratios.I did break two rules: Montgomery has a slight decline in population, and its largest employers are an Air Force base and government agencies.One significant factor that influenced my decision was the promising price-to-rent ratio, suggesting potential for positive cash flow (though I remain cautious about appreciation).Regarding my acquisition strategy:I plan to employ the BRRR method with cash.

I thought my tenant screening was air tight, but apparently not.  

If there is one I have to say, the market is still running hot!

This step must be done carefully to avoid further damage.Structural Repairs: Address any structural damage first, including the roof, walls, and foundation.Systems Repair: Repair or replace electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems as needed.Interior Restoration: Once the structural and system repairs are complete, focus on restoring the interior, including insulation, drywall, flooring, and fixtures.Safety and Health Concerns:Air Quality: Ensure proper ventilation and air quality during and after the restoration process to remove smoke odors and contaminants.Mold Remediation: Check for and address any mold growth, which can be a common issue in fire-damaged properties due to water used in firefighting.Final Inspections:City Inspections: Coordinate with the city for final inspections to ensure that the property is safe and habitable.Fire Department Clearance: Obtain clearance from the Fire Department confirming that the property is safe to occupy.I hope this helps, best of luck!

The water heater is turned off (no light on the dial - used to be green) and there's no hot water in the unit.