If your area has a shortage of 4/2/2 and a deal can be had on one to me that would trump the 3/2/2.Always try to provided the most sought out product not the most abundant.Good luck!

Originally posted by Will Barnard:...Being in CA, we don't have to worry about any blizzards, but certainly gas prices can affect material costs. ...Will Barnard - I think you are only catching part of what Emily Dixon was trying to get across.For example, post Hurricane Katrina, lots of building supplies were being sent into the regions hard hit by that storm - that ended up causing material shortages all over the place, particularly in areas that had no storm damage.

It has encountered stiff pushback from tenant advocates, for example, who argue it is exacerbating the housing shortage and driving up rents.So far most of the scrutiny has focused on rental apartments and homes that are converted to full-time vacation rentals, with regulators generally tolerating homeowners renting out a primary residence.There is a risk that could change.

Right now the market is inflated but there is a shortage of rentals because people are selling cause of the hot market.

There is a mass shortage of CDL drivers in many parts of the country.

Asheville is a smaller but highly competitive market, and there is a housing shortage currently taking place, with home prices being at all time highs.

So much economic growth, shortage of inventory, and demand through the roof.In regard to strategies, I agree given the factors above flips are very hard to find right now unless you are buying from off market buyers.

Just a heads up, the properties that match what you have descibed currently hae a shortage of inventory and buyer demand is through the roof.

Many banks are more willing to do loan mods, workouts, and short pays as opposed to foreclosure, or are selling in bulk to hedge funds who turn them into rentals so the propduct is not hitting the market, thus creating inventory shortages in many areas.

(I run a 501c3 public charity in NY (primarily Putnam, Dutchess and Northern Westchester Counties) where there is a shortage of such rentals.)