With UNCG and Guilford Cty publics schools as well as the hospital, Volvo trucks, Winston Salem, High Point, and the world-class furniture stores in your area as primary sources of industry there is no shortage of a strong economy, affordable housing, and a high rental rates compared to piti payments.Since your on a site like BP at 20 years old have you thought about going into Real Estate (or some aspect of it) after college to hone your skills and learn to find deals quickly?

As long as there is a housing shortage, people will fight for those resources and create demand. 

First, there is still a shortage of affordable housing.

We are experiencing another housing shortage.

Now their remains a huge shortage in inventory.

There is a severe shortage of affordable housing in our city.

That is what causes demand to increase along with a shortage of supply.In regards to,"...shaky appreciation expectations being one of them" it is primarily the fact that most novices do not understand the concept of, "you make your money when you buy".

They'll graze it down to nothing in no time and you won't have to dump a bunch of chemicals on the property.Not to ignite a debate about the use RoundUp, but while they claim that oh yeah, glyphosate will just break down and wash away, no big deal, there are plenty of studies that show while it might not be found in the soil, it can be taken up alongside essential nutrients by the plants that it doesn't kill and then remain within the food chain for some time.

My city has a shortage of quality rental homes and demand is high. 

Anchorage has a housing shortage for some target markets.