Property values are usually flat for this reason, compared to better locations where more people actually choose to live.

If they were one of "the good guys" they would not take money from investors when they know they have zero real estate experience, cannot evaluate the risks presented by the investment or flat out say they are looking for a SAFE income producing investment. 

There's not much appreciation.However STR that's standing next to Hilton only or Superhost or full of positive reviews that would survive.Some folks here have wet dream that their STR in Toledoville or Phoenixcity would perform like the best Airbnb in town, while in 2014 the number of Airbnb supply is 300; and 2022 number of Airbnb supply is 1500, and demand is flat.

Example, one company I know charges a flat fee of $500 to cover permit fees and NOC.

I've seen it done two ways:Flat rate lease - The operator signs a lease for a flat rate and runs the business collecting their rent and care fees from the residents. 

As for LTR, you can save time and focus on other tasks, while the income is stable but the opportunity cost could be lower when you're charging a flat monthly rent.

Fortunately, the ceilings were just flat white, so only had to do walls. 

Many of the HOAs across the metro at that price point do not have inhibitive rental restrictions.I would strongly urge you to avoid areas with flat or declining population in areas like Macon.

Take your time, spend the money, invest your time and energy into actually coming to the market, sitting down with these brokers, property managers, other investors, go to networking meets, get in the market, get face to face, belly to belly with the brokers. , trust me, if you fly the way all the way from California to Raleigh, North Carolina, , the broker in Raleigh is probably going to consider you a serious buyer since you just spent, you know, a couple thousand bucks and, you know, three, four days to get there.

I think it's the best way for people to be buying in this newly flat market.