.: Quote from @Don Solt: Hi folks, As the topic states I'm looking to learn everything I can about the City of Philadelphia and its real-estate market.

Understanding STR regulations in a market is an essential "must do" when it comes to evaluating a short term rental.

I would never let a client purchase in certain areas of my local market....

The "best market" is less about the market per se and more about the deal you're able to find in my opinion.

Look to buy off market.

I'm extremely new when it come to real estate. I'm a second year accounting student in Ottawa ON and I have been looking into sales on assignment as a way to real way to get into the felid of real estate. I don't have...

The seller can supply everything they used to market, pictures, ad copy, etc., but they cannot sell their AirBnB account to another person.

I'm looking to pickup some multifamily real estate but the barrier to entry is crazy in my local market.

Hi Anthony-You asked about the best ways to find off-market deals for your in-laws to buy and move into and you are focussed on the Santa Barbara, CA area which I have been to and it is gorgeous.It kind of reminds me of an Ann Arbor on the ocean. :)Anyway, I like your strategy of driving and looking for houses in need of repair and sending handwritten letters and contacting rentals for the reasons you gave.

I agree.. just look at any large mid west or rust belt metro.. there is a ton of houses avaliable the question though will folks buy in certain neighborhoods where inventory is readily avaliable you can buy existing in many of these markets for far less than new builds.. so to me its really a neighborhood issue  a school issue a crime issue etc etc..