However, on the renting side, we have seen an increase in inventory of days on market too. 

We have created work instructions for every step of the process so we can maintain consistency in how we evaluate properties, communicate with tenants, market our properties, handle rent increases, manage property turnover, etc..... 

It's rarely talked about, it seems.I looked at some listing in the Research Triangle in North Carolina but the cash flow doesn't seem great, especially there could be a major assessed value/property tax increase as there was a lag of 4 years in NC.

Repairs made while the property is your primary residence are not deductible, but improvements can increase your cost basis, reducing future capital gains tax when you sell.

Based on that, do you anticipate increasing or decreasing your investments?

And while I agree that debt is often the cheapest form of capital, if you are looking at a project that involves some form of value-add business plan, you can always refi either when rates come down or you have increased the yield on the asset to exceed your interest rate.But like Stuart noted, for many groups, even the most seasoned syndicators, raising call cash for their deals is effectively impossible.  

The neighborhood has seen a lot of revitalization in recent years, with an increasing demand for both residential and rental properties.

This has actually increased our bookings. 

However, a full or partial gift means you inherit their $33K cost basis, potentially increasing your capital gains taxes when you sell in the future.

Canton is not quite as bad, although they have increased annual fees and initial inspection requirements in the past few years that Akron never put in place.