The Branson market has fewer 3/3 units in the inventory, so you should do pretty well depending on cost and location.

I dollar cost average, more or less, with this too.  

Definitely seeing the wave of DIY hosts waning a bit now that competition is increasing. 

I live in miami florida now and I moved for larger scale developments here because of the net migration but columbus ohio the economics allow for that. existing inventory has been tougher and at the pricing inc columbus you may as well build new because you can build new less than replacement costs in a lot of the markets downtown. it's about being in adjacent downtown neighborhoods where property values and rents are higher. land values are the biggest driver of how well you can buy land to develop followed by permitted uses or rezoning applications. 

Given some of the issues that we have seen with my mom's old house which is in the suburbs of Pittsburgh I know that costly repairs could be hiding somewhere.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620, many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

Our costs are provided up front, are minimal across the industry, and we will always be transparent.

Any opinions out there on if I would have any legal right to get the earnest money returned to me or should I just be happy he is willing to let me out of the contract and consider the $2,000 em cost of doing business?

Just think about this, every 12-15 years you live expect 40-50% more in costs of everything.

I built this one 7 new st.. which build cost was probably 40 to 50% higher for the sq ft because of what we had to buy to meet the BAR ( architectural review for those that are not familiar)  I also built about 20 in North Charleston a before it sky rocketed.. my building partner is now working hanihan. which is the next one to go.