Hello Neil,I recommend checking for companies that invest in themselves by being members of local realtor boards , local and national associations like NARPM (National Association Residential Property Management). 

It has been recently introduced and is supposed to put a cap on the cost to install utility hook ups for new construction and ban hedge funds and corporate entities from buying single family homes in California):SB 1210"This bill would, for new housing construction, prohibit a connection, capacity, or other point of connection charge from a public utility, as defined, or a special district, as defined, for electrical, gas, sewer, or water service from exceeding 1% of the reported building permit value of that housing unit.

Hi NaniKan, I work in Austin for the nation's largest investment real estate brokerage.

I've read the mid-west rent/purchase price ratio is higher then the national average.Thanks in advance!

The strong majority of my area is section 8 housing as Johnstown is one of the poorest cities in the nation.

Some time ago, I spoke with our corporate counsel and other attorney's I know at industry conferences over the years on sub-to they all agree it's a slippery slope.

@Ardian SelimiYou said Alaska high cost of labor makes it hard to pencil out on existing homes but I think that would apply to the new builds also.For personal residences, I have rehabbed a house hack and buy two homes and the builds came out unpredictable even though the first home’s national production builder and the second home’s local custom builder both had plenty of experience with cost and labor estimates.For my RE investments, I went with where I could have a a good chance with building a team/knowledge/mentoring/experience.I grew up in a house hack, started with a house hack and then started with student rentals and then out of state airbnbs.

Be wary if rents exceed 1/3 of average incomes.Absorption/Vacancy: Consult National Association of Realtors for market time and inventory insights.

So far a nationwide funding search targeting traditional national, regional & community banks; SBA lenders; & hard money sources has been unsuccessful for numerous reasons - not the least of which is their objection to financing or investing in our type of business. 

We have underbuilt housing for 14 years following 2008 and now we are 3-4 million homes short (some banks say 5), that will take a decade to catch up as a nation.