Are you out there walking/ driving for dollars to find the mom and pop operators who aren't listing or connecting with the broader network? 

In a broader view on how to deploy your cash towards rentals, by far your most effective use of cash is to put as little down on multiple properties.... which is another way to say: “financing properties far outweighs outright cash purchases when it comes to ROI on rentals.”With money so cheap right now, why tie up $150,000 on a property when you can get the same rent by only having to put down $35,000.  

I also in the past have always personally met with accounts I've used since they were local; is it worth branching out to have a broader pool of candidates?

On the broader scale in general Midwest markets, how did mobile home parks fair during Covid (LAST 12 MONTHS)? 

Some can do great (30-50% returns) and some go bust.But really, a decent index fund of the broader stock market (Wilshire 5000) can do better than REITs and RE index funds you mentioned. 

The price increases are from the broader overall market, the low inventory and low rates as big factors.

You can still find fixers in the broader Bay Area in the $800K that will rent for $5,000 (we are putting some finishing touches on one we acquired last fall in Terra Linda/San Rafael for a number in that range). 

Additionally, look at the broader population trends of these areas and I think you'll realize they likely aren't on the rise.

I think this rule change and the number filtering is why we've moved to having individual texting accounts within our broader platform. 

However, the newer/broader federal eviction moratorium from the CDC that's in effect now, doesn't have any requirement for the mortgage to be federally-backed (or for the property to even have a mortgage).