We've just been asked by another local investor to "consult" on his planned renovation.With enough to sustain our livelyhood, it's time to learn how to develop.  

What you're doing isn't sustainable long term, trust me I know from experience. :) A 2 year flip sounds like my worst nightmare.

How about a city with a past record of moderate responses to nationwide factors and with 2 powerful driving factors, and an ongoing commitment to the supporting infrastructure needed to sustain growth?  

The world hasn't changed while you were away, so trust that you're capable and press forward.You need more than a few doors to make yourself independently sustainable.

As any market matures (stock or housing) it get's harder to pick winners and sustain the same returns. 

I'm not sure if it is sustainable.

Worse yet, some of them are in such poor condition that the best choice will be to bulldoze it but the area won't sustain the cost to rebuild.As always, there will be opportunities from this inventory, but buyer beware and understand what you're buying.

In the mean time I'm working on laying a foundation of sustained growth in real estate.  

The Appraisal Institute has tow 2-day classes on valuing Sustainable Amenities and Solar.

It was like it’s own little sustaining city.