I'm in western Michigan, Muskegon/Lakeshore area, and there are definitely great deals to be had out here.

Obviously, the western markets are a different animal. 

One surprise to many (save those in Western Canada) is that Vancouver has started to rival places like Hong Kong.That said, being expensive does not necessarily make a place the unaffordable ... though it definitely is a factor.  

I'm a newbie from Chicago (western suburbs).

Speaking to my western roots you are there!  

I am looking for a good HVAC company for rehabs in western suburbs of Chicago.  

Hey Chris,New Western Acquisitions.  

And Californians in particular are seen by those Mid-Western guides as easy prey!

I'm a huge fan on the western PA market!

At least as it relates to investors from high priced markets looking out in the mid west rust belt ETC. the number these days for sustainable rental homes in my mind is 0.07  to 1.25  that gets you in the sweet spot of a tenant class that you can be successful with.Caveat  there are always little mid western or mountain towns or coal towns in Pa and other areas were there is 2% that are not quite as dangerous but those are the provenance of locals not something most out of state investors could find and or own or manage..