About to close on a property with an abandoned car in the backyard of home.  

. - my plan is to move to Durham in 1-2 years and I am doing research on the area (although in 1-2 years the market might be EVEN tighter than you describe).I'd love to get your thoughts on the neighborhoods and price points that you look at, if you are willing - happy to do that here or via DM.I figure it's at least good to connect and pool resources with people in the Durham area for the time when I do move down there!

(As pet owners, we are looking for some properties with a back yard.) 

And asset class'sour turnkey partners are killing it all having record years.. the buyer pool for 1% deals is very strong. and at the end of the day these folks are still paying less than replacement cost for that C to B SFR in the major turn key markets... 

Don't you think it would be more prudent to state near (or in) your own backyard?

@Joe Kim - I have bought new homes before as rentals and they required money to be spent on backyards, window coverings, appliances, etc....

I'm thinking of doing some creative landscaping in the back yard to create a 'barrier' between the back yard and possible flooding.

It is all a recipe for disaster that plays out time and time again ... why I always advise to get some hands on experience in your own backyard before venturing out ... but you know what happens then?

However I've decided to start taking the initiative by searching for off market deals in my back yard in Daytona Beach.

Our initial time frame of 6 months went in a snap and 1/2 of the landscape and exterior finishes couldn't be completed in winter so it dragged on till spring. ( we took out a in ground pool ).