I and a few others have give answers and opinions on the matter.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/277902-best-most-profitable-region-for-rentals?

All signs point to a red hot market in St Peterburg, Clearwater, and elsewhere in Pinellas County Florida and the Tampa Bay region for 2016 in this Jan 2016 Market Status from Pinellas Realtor Organization.Some highlights:The new year started strong for Pinellas County real estate, with January 2016 stats showing more new listings, fewer days on market, and Median Sale Prices way up from January 2015. 

-There are some items that are commodities and priced by unit of material (drywall, bricks, roofs) and some that aren't (foundations, design, landscaping, excavators, carpentry)-Prices vary considerably across regions, times of year, skill level, local demand, unionization, licensing restrictions, independent contractor, etc.  

We are a small to mid-size town of 300,000 (600,000 metro region), situated between Columbus, Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago.

Nor am I terribly familiar with properties in the Delta region or near Memphis.

Mathew Gunkel I work for regional bank and have a ton experience with helocs.

Recommendations for real estate lawyers in the South Coast region of Massachusetts and Rhode Island would be appreciated as well. 

We are looking primarily within the NW region of our state and OTP North Atlanta.

I've had luck with local/regional banks.

Since MLSs are regional the specific requirements will likely vary.