Here's what I gleaned as a summary of hardening tips for reducing turnover/maintenance costs:panasonic bath fans with timers in bathrooms4 coats of poly on wood floorsdouble door stopstile floors, showers vs surroundssingle lever shower valve vs. doublereplace toilets with steel parts/mechanicals whenever it starts to runKwikset smart keys (some debate over efficacy)door stoppers on all hingesremove pop-up drains and replace with commercial drains2' drain lines from sinks with an accessible clean outbuy a key cutter - maker for $50 on craigslistGranite tile counters - need a diamond polisher and tile sawUsed Fixed vs. friction shower rodsKeyed deadbolt and passage knob on outside doors to prevent accidental lockout5/8' fire core drywall - can't put a fist thru it and its fire-resistant1/4" board to back up towel rodspolyurethane cabinets under sink to pre seal and drain water to the floor2x4 base under cabinets to prevent particle board cabinets from failing where they meet the floorVinyl scrap under sink and up the back wallBest of luck!

I haven't been to Huntsville in a long time, but I'd imagine with all the growth that you could dig up some diamonds. 

You are right it definitely is a sellers market but there are still diamonds in the rough if you are willing to put in some sweat equity

Here are 3 in Worcester County:NWCLA - Northern Worcester County Landlord AssociationWorcesterPOA - Worcester Property Owners Assn is part of MassLandlords - 2nd Wed of the month, next is 1/10Black Diamond REI - 3rd Tuesday in alternating months in Worcester, the next is 1/16

The trick is finding that diamond. 

Do you not like to get your hands dirty and just want to find diamond in the rough properties for other investors to buy and get paid a finders fee?

Others are diamonds in the rough which can get a good cosmetic reno and after Refi, produce a good COC return. 

All you need is a $30 diamond blade for your skill saw to get started and a cheap diamond drill bit for punch holes.

Since I knew I had more cash with which to invest, I kept analyzing deals in my town, and kept looking.About 2 weeks ago, what would nicely be called a diamond in the rough came on the market and I went and looked at it.

@Stacy GilmanHave you checked out the Black Diamond meetings in Worcester?