It makes it tempting to expand my circle, but there does not appear to be a shortage of rentals or properties for sale in the surrounding area.  

I don't think any experienced people give out their good crews right now in a market with shortage of good construction labor. 

Your question is a very very common one and I'm sure you'll receive no shortage of answers.

The biggest challenge in that market is that there's a huge housing shortage so you're looking for ROI while someone else is willing to pay an "emotional premium".

A great deal for an investor is a property which will cash flow with a cap rate of 10%, is in high demand as a rental, has appreciation potential, and which is either priced at 20% below market value for cash or which the seller will carry back 90% of the purchase price as a first lien or 25% of the price as a silent second lien if priced slightly below market valueA great deal to a flipper is a property priced at no greater than 60% of market value needing repairs valued at no more than 15% of market value.If you can find these you will have no shortage of offers.  

There is a shortage of "shows well" homes so I don't really see there being a problem of resell, based upon location and pricing of course.

In our current rental environment, there is a severe housing shortage for low-income and fixed income folks.

And there is no shortage of places to get a mortgage.

Then you can make informed decisions about HELOCs and raw acreage and whether or not you really want to be a landlord managing the number of rental properties you'll need to reach your number.There's no shortage of ways to make money in real estate, but make sure your tactics support your lifestyle, rather than the reverse!

I'm curious to know the best way to find deals in the housing shortage we're having right now.