I did it to get an answer, I didn't think I was actually going to be invited onto the podcast though. 

I was wondering if anyone has these same issues in their market, and how they've been able to skirt the mania and actually find real serious deals.

We cap the rate for utilities and actually added about 10% above our normal average this past year due to rising utility costs in our area for gas and propane.  

Yes, they are actually selling individual units as well

Call 3 references:  Verify that they work there, or that it is an actual person by asking where they work first, and don't mention who you are until after.  

Once the loan matures, the interest rate could go even higher and you can actually start losing equity in the deal.

My business partner and I actually own a portfolio of STR's in the area, so if you wanted some insight on that business I'm happy to share as well!

Nobody ever went broke over a duplex, I know this now,  but I have to admit I had some serious doubts about this when I started 16 years ago, I bought every course I could find, already on CD's, this was post cassette tapes lol, and I paid RichDad Education for a one year coaching program (turned out my coach was a girl in a call center without any actual experience). 

I reached out to only 3 two got back and 1 I was actually able to have a conversation with.

Every market in residential zoning has an expiration date, we just don't know what it is yet.The obvious solution is to buy in already regulated areas with tourist/commercial zoning.The returns are lower, but at least they can't go to zero overnight.