Because of this, I am concentrating on the most beaten-down segments and locations in our local market.

The FL market I chose, and moreso, the segment within that market, supports cash flow really nicely, while still giving me enough market appreciation and increasing equity that I can also flip the portfolio if I wanted to, and make a substantial profit. 

Or is it something else: like segmenting each neighborhood and comparing numbers only to one another? 

From a pure build perspective, the house is unique and has some details that a certain segment would appreciate.

It's hard to stand out.The same will hold true in the markets you mentioned like Cleveland because there are a lot of investors there as well.There are some owner-occupied segments with people who share motivating factors for selling their home.Seniors with Long-time Ownership: often ready to downsize or transition to assistance.Homeowners with Low Financial Stability Scores (FSS): Struggling financially and likely ready to cash in on their asset.Both these categories have additional advantages in that they probably don’t haven’t been updated and may have deferred maintenance.

It's hard to stand out.There are some owner-occupied segments with people who share motivating factors for selling their home.Seniors with Long-time Ownership: often ready to downsize or transition to assistance.Homeowners with Low Financial Stability Scores (FSS): Struggling financially and likely ready to cash in on their asset.Both these categories have additional advantages in that they probably don’t haven’t been updated and may have deferred maintenance.

It will require learning about a new segment of the market, but that is fine and something we would welcome.2.

I'd also like to know what the requirements are to becoming a broker and, why more people aren't focused on this segment of the market than say residential.

low value properties = low profit = more difficulties in the crisis time = more competitionIf one day i'll be in the Real Estate market, I'll do in the luxury segment

Think of running multiple small projects as running a big job with many work segments.