However, IMO the reason I believe that it appears that the crime rate is so much higher here than that of the national average is the lack of population density that they are bouncing the numbers off of in other places. 

Here is the question I want to bounce off everyone to determine if my thinking is correct or not:Hypothetical example: If I'm looking for a home that will have a monthly payment of $1500, I am placing more emphasis on homes that would have a lower percentage of it being mortgage cost with the rest as PI.

I'm looking for some one to bounce questions off of and maybe shoot some ideas by. 

I was wondering if I could bounce ideas from everybody here on possible exit strategies you can use when going through a hard money lender or a private lender. 

Sounds like you may be better off selling it now, while the market is hot and try to bounce back from what is only small losses.Best of luck to you!

Have you been bouncing back and forth ideas with a local bank or mortgage broker in regards to this all? 

Come to local MetrolinaREIA.org meetups to met and  network with other investors so that you have someone other than your Realtor to bounce ideas and numbers with

I would love to bounce ideas of each other and network if you’re up for it.

True, over time the market will bounce back and maybe go higher, but how long can you hold your breath?

If folks are well off enough to pay 3 months rent up-front they can afford to live in a hotel for a weekend while they find somewhere that fits their needs.In this particular case (especially with mentioning "disabled veteran" which is very common in scams), I imagine they'll pay the 3 months, then just before move-in date will request a partial refund because work transferred them out of the country, and after you do so their check will bounce and you'll be out a ton of $$$.