Or is it other factors? 

Here are a few to watch out for:Property Condition: Most distressed properties need extensive repairs or renovations, which add to your initial investment.Competitive Market: With Phoenix's popularity among investors, competition for the best deals can be intense.Complex Deals: Foreclosures, auctions, or short sales are much more complicated compared to regular real estate transactions and usually require specialized knowledge.Tips to Successfully Navigate the MarketDo Your Research: Understand the local market conditions, including neighborhood trends, property values, and potential rental income.Build a Strong Network: Work with professionals who specialize in distressed properties-such as brokers, contractors, and legal experts-to make the best decisions.Assess Costs Carefully: Factor in the cost of repairs, holding costs, and any potential financing issues when evaluating a property’s profitability.Be Patient: Finding the right distressed property takes time.

The structure will depend on the down payment, quality of borrower, terms of note, your cash out of the note sale needs, and other factors. 

This will help you understand the qualifying requirements, key factors to consider when purchasing, and how to assess whether a property might be a good investment at first glance.

Other factors as well of course: DTI, the LTV, primary residence vs investment property, etc.

* What are some factors to consider when identifying these hot spots?

I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23If a purchase, you also generally need reserves / savings to show you have 3-6 month payments of PITIA (principal / interest (mortgage payment), property taxes and insurance and HOA (if applicable).

Buyers Want More Than a Pretty HouseSan Diego buyers are discerning, and they don’t just want a house that looks nice—they want one that functions well and reflects their lifestyle.

There is the inconvenience factor but it might be cheaper for you and your friends as well.

I would factor in time to travel to any market, but AZ is relatively quick compared to the east coast.