And IMHO, the prices are dropping big time (on avg. 10K/month...houses that were above 300K a year ago are not selling at 250K now) and the available rentals saturation is worse than I seen during summer season (with rents dropping from 1$-1.08/sqft to 0.8$/sqft and very little contacts and applications...just go in Zillow and look how many rentals are on the market now in Kyle, New Braunfels or Converse). 

Licensed with permits ~$3,250.HWT standard gas single family low efficiency without exhaust retrofit $900.Sand and stain hardwood floors, natural stain $3 per sf.Paint interior walls, ceiling trim and doors 3 tone paint scheme 2 coats $3.20 per sf (floor area cost includes paint)Click lock LVT flooring install overlay inclusive of prep and quarter round $4.50 per sf (materials and labor)Asphalt roof installation 3/1 - 800 sf bungalow with 2 layers of shingles - ~$7,900Standard porch cap replacement with 2 new precast concrete steps ~$2,500Used stove or refrigerator delivery and install $350New stove or refrigerator delivery and install $HD model specificUse this as a general guideline. 

I think I'm in a pretty unique situation and am trying to figure out the right hoops to jump through to move forward.Long story short, I'm trying to tap into the equity of the rental property passed down from my grand...

How do you identify emerging markets before they become over saturated?

The MTR angle for traveling nurses got too saturated, STRs are like sitting ducks here.The people that are giving you advice on this thread clearly don't know Houston, and don't know what Eado/3rd ward attracts.

No doubt; both of my neighbors at my vacation house got "free" roofs from guys who roam around after any storm and document that whatever storm damaged their roof - despite the fact they both had 15+ year old 3 tab asphalt shingles in the central Florida sun. 

Yes Pittsburgh is a good choice for Investors who either live here or are remote as the buy-in is a lot more conducive than other more saturated markets.

My thought is that the people that ARE using it for lead gen/outreach, automation etc. will keep the methods to themselves until the advantage of early adoption is done and that business segment is saturated, then they will sell courses to everybody else..

Is the market truly as promising as it seems, or are things over saturation?

Builders often adjust pricing based on rental saturation, which could impact future appreciation.