Does anyone out there have feedback on current rental pricing trends and days on the market vs. say a year ago for cities that have a high concentration of absentee owners and/or cash buyers in locations that are NOT second home hot spots (Memphis, Birmingham, Richmond, VA come to mind)?  

Typically areas that have a higher concentration of small multis for sale are lower income, so I would highly suggest making a list of a few in your price range and driving the neighborhoods before making appointments with your realtor.  

Banks generally don't like concentration risk either so shopping around for each new loan may be necessary.  

I would concentrate on repairing the credit and getting a job, then start looking for deals.

I concentrate on acquiring properties, fixing them up and renting them. 

Do you have an area you are concentrating on?

I joined BP pro because the pro only forum, the unlimited calc uses, the positive rep and credibility it gives and, of course, the free Book of Investing in Real Estate with No and Low Money Down that Brandon Turner offers during his webinars that you should check out.Are you thinking to concentrate in the burbs?

I would concentrate first and foremost on getting out of consumer debt. 

We are, of course, always on the lookout for deals across many different channels, however our deal-seeking efforts this week are concentrated on reaching out to property owners found through county offices, title companies, and research done out of our truck windows! 

In other words, are there management companies that will only do the vetting, placements and rent gathering while I concentrate on maintenance and acquiring new properties?