Our team works with a lot of out of state and out of country investors and most state that Pittsburgh is one of the best markets they invest in due to the more predictable nature of our market (we don't have the bubbles that many of the larger cities do in regards to housing surges and bursts).

in addition on the west coast we just don't really have zombie or boarded up houses.. at least not like other areas of the country we have a shortage of actual housing units.

I believe shared housing is going to become more popular, due to the lack of available housing throughout the country; and lenders, insurance, etc. will need to find ways to accommodate their use. 

Average cap rates across the country have halved in the past 25 years.

In many areas of the country you can grab duplexes for about $100k. 

In what part of the country is it located?  

prop tax's some of the lowest int the country.. my one prop is valued at 650k  and my tax's are 2k. 

That is why large private equity firms and buying up parks all over the country... they have great cash flow and don't require a lot of 'management'. 

Brendan, the VA loan can be a powerful tool in your investing career especially as you continue to PCS around the country.

Not to mention there is an entire country north of us still.