Major business growth (Amazon, ABC Supply, Dollar General) has improved values, vacancy, employment and the economy is booming with private funding.

You don't pay the contractor for materials, but instead you pay the supply store for them.

Obviously obtaining this data isn’t an easy task, however it may help explain the supply and demand of your sub market.

I'm currently a senior in high school, and due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I found myself working 40 hour weeks in a warehouse making medical supplies instead of finishing my year in school.

On the supply side, folks that lost their jobs just got a 3-12 month forbearance gravy train, no rush to sell, limiting supply.

In the last few years in the Richmond area the price growth for SFR has been increasing faster than the rental growth with lack of supply and low interest rates being major factors.  

If they shop alot at a particular supply house chances are they'll either come highly recommended or with a warning. #4 your local building inspector might have an opinion on a certain contractor.

We are starting to see additional supply from some companies that may have liquidity issues or are stressed which is allowing us to buy at a little better discount than usual.This type of investing is not for someone right out of the gate as their are a lot of complexities but I a great way to earn cash flow

Generally it comes down to job growth, population growth, rent growth, housing supply vs demand, vacancy, diversity of economy, and landlord-tenant laws. 

I can't imagine many people are offering on those homes, but supply is definitely decreasing here.