We don't always use Lowe's for materials -- sometimes it's a local vender, a contractor, or another big box store like Home Depot or Menards.

I'm not going to answer about why they aren't scooping up those properties--could be any myriad of reasons--but is Memphis over-promoted?

Material costs vary minimally between cheap areas and expensive areas.  

@Brandon DeVega1) You're going to get banned for self-promotion if you keep posting like you are.2) So far you've posted you can help manage properties in Ohio and Pennsylvania, yet you're just a real estate agent in New York?

Any guidance or advice from someone that understands not only RED but with a holistic and sustainable approach to the whole process, materials, Net Zero, Passive H design, etc.

The activities of wife with respect to the rental properties included, among other things, cleaning common areas, collecting coins from washing machines, performing repairs at the properties, communicating with tenants, collecting and depositing rent, maintaining insurance policies, purchasing materials for the properties, as needed, paying bills and keeping books and records for tax accounting purposes.

.  ~$8 per sheet material so I'm looking at ~$53/sheet all in. 

Connected Investors is promoting new capabilities associated with being acquired by First American.

The cheapest way is to have separate accounts, as the other posters have wisely promoted.

I have done many rehabs for 1-4 unit properties, and have always just purchased material from local hardware stores.