The biggest question you have to answer before you dive right in is how you can compete in the marketplace.

The downside to the PNW are the prices.

Downside is need for a custodian (they don't work for free) and you can't use depreciation, and you can't take a loss.

Our biggest hurdle right now is building a relationship with the right agent and getting deals put in front of us consistently.

I am in CA, ftr Nope there are no real estate agents on one of the worlds biggest real estate investing platforms.

I have my biggest rehab per square foot and one of my biggest rehabs ever going on right now.  

The biggest advice to keep the contractor motivated is to give them a 10% bonus if they finish before schedule and deduct 5% if they run over finish date.

I like Columbus Ohio because I see it being one of the biggest metropolitan cities in the next 10-20 years, all signs are pointing here!

The crazy deals often come of the 'crappier' houses that need lots of work.I think your biggest challenge (from what you have told us) is that you probably don't have the money necessary to play the 'foreclosure game' - at least where I'm at.  

It's usually banks limiting their downside risk.