Hello BiggerPockets community,My wife and I purchased a house in Katy, TX a few years ago for $230k, right before the market surged.

We all know most markets in the country are suffering from a huge shortage of affordable housing.

IREM President Libby Ekre, CPM, shares five essential things to look for:Licenses & Certifications – Ensure the firm has certifications like CPM or ARM, guaranteeing adherence to industry standards.Regional Experience – Local market knowledge is crucial, especially for properties in smaller cities.Property Type Expertise – Match the company’s strengths with your specific property type for better management.Company Culture – Look for a firm that values customer service and team management.

I ended up financing the home, and by the time I did, the market had appreciated, and the rehab added value.

Key Market Movers and How to Track Rateshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/2024-dscr-loan-rates-and-...How Do DSCR Lenders Calculate Your Interest Rate?

I feel like a lot of the BP podcast episodes talk about investing in the general US market, but never really touch on HCOL areas.

If you are able, and I say IF you can find off market properties and you present your self to the seller as a wholesaler, that may be diffrent, but then you run into marketing real estate with out a license which if I understand correctly it's a criminal offense in nys.

With market rent in the area reaching up to $1,400/month, there’s great potential for increased cash flow.

Bonus: I know MTR operators in your market I can connect you to as well.

With the run up of multi family prices, relatively high rates and the 3.5% low down payment this is virtually impossible (outside of some markets in the upper midwest) to make happen.