My team are looking to invest in Cleveland. 

If you're really going to try to make this idea fly I think you should get an architect on your team.

The thinking with the institutions is that you're not doing as much as you would on a $5M-$10M transaction as the sellers and buyers typically already know eachother, have teams to underwrite the properties, and have attorneys to handle the contracts.

But the quick equity gains that are possible by tracking the seasonality and "buying right" makes up for any potential lost rent in spades.

Hello Team,After 6 months of analysis and back and forth, I had good success in Ocala, FL an KC-MO, but I have my first deal closed in Huntsville(more later on deals analysis).

Yes I work with Amanda's team at Keystone CPA. 

U know like banks that have long lost accounts.. escrow money that is refunded and cant find the borrower ( this happened to me personally LOL)  those funds go to the transportation department at the state.. so who could figure that out with out a little digging. 

:)I definitely hear you on the risk - I aim to buy-and-hold the properties and place Section 8 tenants, so the deals tend to be as safe as possible, but I understand your and Mitch's points about deals possibly losing money.Where I'm getting lost is on how to structure being paid when I borrow from private lenders.

That could be related the $1M or so lost earlier this year in that crypto scam thing.

I would suggest establishing teams in both markets and evaluating which one generates leads that align with your investment criteria.