One of my friends owns about 13 homes near Western Michigan University.  

Regulations here are totally different than other places, this is a fledgling market really with westerners only being able to buy here over the past 10 years so the regulations are still "work in progress" but work well.

@David Krulac, I expected a drop in the western energy states, but this looks a bit more widespread. 

(I'm already dialed in with my local investors and peers here in Western Colorado, and am now hoping to expand to other non-local wholesalers)Thanks in advance!

I work at New Western Acquisitions, a firm that provides an exclusive group of investors with 15-20 single-family, distressed investment properties per month.

And by western union so I am bailing on that.

I'm not a multi-family expert (I have just done SFR and townhome rentals), but $45,600 in rents on a $275,000 purchase in the Puget Sound region of Western WA seems like decent numbers.  

I sold a 3-flat in Chicago in 2004 and did 1031s on a duplex and two condos in the western suburbs.  

I wish you all the best in western Michigan and if there's anything I can do for you in the thumb or in SE Michigan let me know.

Although I'm not out in Western MA, it seems to me I've gotten a few calls for financing of multis in Adams (this is not a solicitation for financing, I don't lend in Western MA) It may be more cost effective for you to buy and renovate, since I seem to remember the buildings were very inexpensive out there.