Thanks,WilliamAs a fellow Northerner, I tend to buy in the Southern half of the US for 2 reasons:1) you get much higher year-round occupancy rates in the South & it’s simply tough to earn a good ROI in the North if your place sits vacant for a big chunk of the year2) Culturally, the Southern half of the US seems to be a lot more accepting of STRs regulation-wise.

I guess one way to counter that is to only invest in property that is close to some kind of amenity that is not easily duplicated by a new development -- like good freeway access, good restaurants (as you pointed out), good cultural centers, etc. 

Or maybe they just need a little more time for personal reasons.The path to homeownership can be challenging and for some clients this is a fantastic option to get into the home they want, get their children in a good school, and experience the culture of the community while they prepare to purchase.

Just depends on your level of knowledge. option you can take if the numbers are so great is to: Put it under contract and flip or assign that contract to someone else who’s familiar with the war zone culture.

In our culture, being able to brag about your kids’ academic achievements is a big deal.

Chattanooga, Tennessee (this also surprised me):- Chattanooga is a thriving city that has seen a lot of growth in recent years, and is actually a fairly popular tourist destination due to its scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and cultural attractions. - Chattanooga has many popular tourist attractions: such as the Tennessee Aquarium and Lookout Mountain. - Chattanooga is in close proximity to a plethora of large cities: It is roughly a one hour, forty five minute drive from Atlanta, GA, a two hour drive from Nashville, TN, a hour and a half drive from Knoxville, TN, a two hour drive from Birmingham,, AL, and a hour and a half drive from Huntsville, AL.

The city of Ypsi has some culture but the property taxes are very high due to the fact that EMU comprises such a large part of the land.  

Also the laws and tax systems are different, as are the cultures and the ways to do business.

So then think about doing a rehab or even new construction in a country where you are not, it is not easy to get to, it is expensive to get to, and you don't know the culture, the laws, the people.   

I live in long island currently about 30 minutes from Queens, which is where I was born and raised, so I am familiar with the area, but not too familiar with the investing culture that is (or isn't) present.I'm 21 and currently studying for my real estate license, and am also interested if there even is an investors market for whom I could help buy rental properties in this area as an investor-friendly realtor in the future.Any advice would be appreciated.