Millions upon millions of jobs lost "forever" ("exported" to the "third world"), more millions lost half or more of their retirement accounts, creditors slashed and burned consumer credit to the point where, by the banksters' own numbers, some 74% of Americans wound up with "bad" credit (it was only 47% before they did that), ...Now, add in the knee-jerk responses in the lending industry and you've got a situation where only the elite of formerly middle-class wage earners can even hope to qualify for new home loans.In fact, the given the current housing shortage (yet more fallout from the crash), it is ONLY the dearth of lending which is keeping home prices from launching into interstellar space by suppressing demand.

Decent little middle/working class area.

Currently in the middle of a 7 unit complex rehab.

I often hire the contractor that are reliable but bids in the middle of the spread, and I often have leases that probably have room for adjustments, but if my deals works for my own metrics at conservative metrics, I will do it.And slowly the market rose, and then very very steeply we entered a seller's market.

(Seller needs the equity out asap, so seller-financing is out)As for the deal itself:       Located a few towns over from me (but not far enough where management would be a hassle), right near the better part of the borough, near the middle school, very close to stores & very close to where new construction is being planned & the area is on an upswing.2 - 2 bedrooms (1150-1200/each)4 - 1 bedrooms (850-900/each)Going inside it this week, but from my walks around the outside, I'm ballparking about 100k in renoSeller asking for 200kTaxes as-is about 6500Seller states all zoning approvals & site-planning have been completed, only thing left to do is pull permits and put nails to woodAs of right now, my immediate plan would be to sit down w/ the commercial people at my lender's, assess my standing, and start all the other due diligence common with a typical, residential purchase.

We are currently in the middle of a flip.  

Much different with the middle of the road rentals. 

I am prepared to make my first purchase in a middling area rather than a spectacular one.

During this investigation, I have yet to see a firm that targets the middle of the market with this housing type.

I'm actually in the middle of a big release so late nights for me until October.