BUT....With the rates dropping ( and they will)  Buyer interest will increase and the markets will immediately start to level first , then increase( prices) as both buyers and sellers see the market stability and value.

I will not use the equity from my personal residence to invest in real estate, sure it can make more money but its just my level of risk tolerance.  

Would we be able to spend $1k in aquisition costs to get to that level?

Little Rock and OKC are the capitals of each state so there's a ton of government jobs that provide a strong level of security because we all know those jobs aren't going anywhere.

If you want to fill your property with residents sourced from the companies above, imagine being the overworked, relatively low-level employee tasked with finding the appropriate housing ASAP.

Sounds like the county failed on multiple levels including not giving proper notice, not sending notices to the correct address, etc. 

Again, others might feel differently here.3) property level due diligence: (takes seconds to weeks per deal): here is where I drill in with the low-level details.a) pro forma popping: I examine all the assumptions, and see if they are overoptimistic or not.

Quote from @Stuart Udis: The natural buyer of the entry level SF homes have limited cash and therefore the biggest obstacle they face is funds to close.

Ultimately, it’s about the level of involvement and risk tolerance you’re comfortable with.

Homes that get more winter weather need a different level of upkeep, but nothing more than a regular home needs that is built for their specific area.