I think vacancy rate all depends on your property management skills.  

My education allowed me to leverage my skills and get a great w2 income .

Maybe it was skill and maybe it was beginner's luck but they don't know the difference yet.Same goes with my contributions here on BP.

Don't ask Kobe Bryant for marriage advice or to be your life coach... but he could probably help you with your basketball skills. 

I sometimes “Hire America”, when price is right, or I need some specific skills, best served by someone from here.

Depending on your people skills, you might want to try to contact the occupants to get a look at the inside of the home.

I believe you can get a better deal and utilize your skills and time more profitably.

I use Locators nationwide.Locators can reach sellers in communities that would be impossible for us investors to reach using conventional marketing, they are in the community, they drive by for sale by owners (FSBO's) daily.We investors want to tap in on the Locator's skill and ability to find virgin (meaning motivated)  real estate sellers. 

Many experienced and skilled Realtors, agents, and loan officers propagate this misinformation unwittingly revealing their ignorance of the appraisal process.

Any shortage of income to mortgage obligation will count negatively against your income.