@Cosmo DePinto,I’ve seen investors do great in Huntsville—let me share a few detailsIn short, yes—it’s arguably one of the strongest markets in Alabama for a balance between cash flow and appreciation.

Quote from @Isadore Nelson: Cash-for-keys, unless you're offering heavy sums does not happen in one afternoon. 

The cash investor who "saw the property on zillow" but doesn't really understand what REO means or how the banks operate. 

Purchase price: $15,000 Cash invested: $25,000 Sub to deal - paid the seller and wholesaler $15,000 + $7500 closing costs to assume $84,000 mortgage with a monthly PITI of $575.

You didn't write how much 'sweat equity' you put into this place, but it was likely well worth it given the $400K cash out.  

This implies my cash flow will improve quickly and over a long hold is likely to have better cash flow than the low RE cost market that had better initial cash flow.  

Are you cash flowing the property?

.🔹 Profit Multiple Ways – You can rent the property for cash flow, sell the option at a profit, or buy it later at a pre-agreed price (often below market value).🔹 Great for Sellers & Investors – Motivated sellers can turn a vacant or hard-to-sell property into income while investors secure future deals without a huge upfront commitment.🔹 Ideal in Any Market – Whether home prices are rising or falling, lease options allow you to lock in today’s price while benefiting from future appreciation.Other creative strategies—like seller financing, subject-to deals, and the BRRRR method—can also open doors, but lease options remain one of the most powerful, low-risk, minimal cash out-of-pocket ways to build a portfolio.

Some, like James Dainard, emphasize an annualized cash-on-cash (COC) return of 60%-80%.

These included cash buys for flips, seller financing, and subject-to deals.