I'd suggest you start asking other investors in your market for general contractor referrals- people who do quality and reasonable work on rental properties in your market.

I always recommend accepting pets, but you should know how to screen them, monitor them, and have strong policies in place to stop problems early.You should regularly monitor your market on Zillow, realtor.com, apartments.com, etc.

The trend is also fueling mergers and acquisitions within the industry, such as Circle K’s recent bid to acquire 7-Eleven.These global real estate updates reflect a dynamic market adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Down the road, this can hurt the investor because you'll find yourself with a unit rented well below market rent when its time to sell.

He usually sends me over his buyers who need a renovation program then I send them back if the qualify.

I just say" (I have done over 500 in my market this way) Hey Christie, I need insurance its vacant and we are doing a reno.

Is counting on appreciation the only strategy in a market like this, or are there points of view?

Our long term exit strategy will be to eventually sell some of the units as the market recovers . 

Unfortunately, there are also a few people who have popped up on BP trying to sell a crappy real estate-related program but fortunately the majority of the experienced investors on here don't fall under this category (plus the program spammers tend to get banned sooner or later).  

Keep in mine Toledo is the #1 market in Ohio (and nationwide) not Cleveland or Columbus. https://www.realtor.com/research/top-housing-markets-2024/ What is BRRR?