Just like when you buy something with "free shipping" someone is paying for that shipping, and its usually YOU paying an elevated price on the product.  

I have listened to several podcasts about the wonders for virginia because of the whole upgrading thing going on in the Panama Canal that will allow east coast deliveries by those huge cargo ships. 

You can pay the same or a few buck less for RTA but you'll burn the savings on shipping and putting them together.

If someone comes to me with millions in the bank and says I want a 10 cap large building that is A class in and A area I will say you could have gotten an 8 to 9 or so 4 years ago but that ship has sailed.Part of it really is the broker/agent if they are good and do it full time are out in the market reviewing properties and pricing EVERYDAY.

That ship sailed years ago.

I'm wondering if it would make sense to source modular homes in China and have them shipped to and assembled in markets like Memphis, Atlanta, Birmingham.

I've been using AirBnB for several months now, and I'm able to keep my STRs mostly full near a popular vacation spot.I tried VRBO, but the hidden/surprise fees were obnoxious, jumped ship very quickly.

I prefer the text to be typed up and then I hand-write the charges, sign, and ship it out.

If they can't afford a new place, they can't afford to stay in yours, and they need to find family or friends to stay with.For people living hand to mouth, which it sounds like they are, even 2 weeks of lost income sinks the ship and means some bills don't get paid.

Lots of things come up.I did some bailing out in a buddy's sinking ship recently.Told him upfront he did't have enough cash or credit for the unexpected.I know very little about REI  ,but I graduated from "Murphy's Law School" and  found it's always best to remove the rose colored glasses.