And like @Shaun Hatton said, people can only afford rent on par with local salaries.Zoom into your area and explore the vicinity for companies, potential jobs, amenities, food, schools, entertainment, demographics, etc.

Amazing food but I digress.

Food prices are going to stay up or go up.

Our living expenses are only the food and gas we use.

Just food for thought - everything in real estate is a weighing between risk and profit - decide which is more prevalent here and jump!

I'd say look for a company that is close by but not to close where you might be "taking food off their plate".

  ( which is me since I left my bagging groceries job at 18 when i got my RE license.)So for me there was only one reason to be in real estate and that was to afford shelter cloths and food and have a decent home to raise my children.the by product of this was being truly self employed at such an early age and realizing that I needed to handle my own health insurance and save for tax's and many other things that being a W 2 folks dont think of.. you know vacations cost us big time in RE sales in lost revenue and then the cost of the vacation.However for me I grew to like it a lot..

Just food for thought.

While not a deal breaker, consider setting something up specifically for pets (food/water bowls, dog towel, Rover Service/Boarding Service Recommendations or maybe even a kennel).- Treat your MTR more like a STR.

However, I'd be willing to be they don't use conservatively.Just food for thought