I know there is a huge shortage of housing and that has driven up price in the past couple years (along with other factors such as the pandemic, population growth, etc) so, I see listings for 2br-1bth for up to 2200 on places like Zillow, Redfin, etc.  

Any labor shortage areas, speed up green card process noted above. 

The market is full of garbage numbers and there is no shortage of newbies willing to acquire them.

Nobody should be shocked by this or argue it, it's the reality of shortage market. 

I know a few more people who's purchasing with him, from what I hear, every single closing was delayed due to supply shortages or other reason. 

@Ryan Duphorn  a  5 /2  and 1920 square feet IMHO isn't a good health care traveler accommodation unless you are in a area with a shortage of housing. 

There is no shortage of realtors excited to give you their take on the market there.

I would need to know more specs on the house but with material shortages It's difficult to say how much to budget. 80K-120K for full gut perhaps but unsure with lumber beings so expensive and shortages.I would plan 9 months of vacancy between the pain you will endure pulling permits & having your contractors show up everyday to complete the work & then final inspections to get a CO. 

Worse news: the shortage of tax professionals specializing in real estate is getting worse every year.

But the NAHB also reiterated evidence of an ongoing labor shortage, saying, “The ongoing skilled labor shortage in the construction labor market and lingering inflation impacts account for the recent acceleration in wage growth.”For now, the hot market is still rolling.