The convention wisdom is that the monthly rent should be about 1% of the purchase price, which is extremely difficult, if at all possible, to achieve in Northern Virginia. 

I don't know if they would do it for someone as a first investment property.What is it about you or about the property that makes you think you can't get a conventional residential investment note?

It seems like real estate requires that you think outside the conventional wisdom.

Right now I am looking at going to conventional 30 yr.

Find that kind of agent in your area.In a normal conventional residential sale, yes, I normally recommend hitting the bank first. 

the available inventory went to almost non-existent and the turnkey companies that were there became pretty unreliable in my opinion.

Can someone point me to some market statistics to see the overall trends, listing prices, inventory volumes, $/sqft etc...?

Take an inventory of your strengths also.

Can someone point me to some market statistics to see the overall trends, listing prices, inventory volumes, $/sqft etc...?

Hi,I am about to open a 1031 and anticipate buying 2 or 3 homes ($120-180k ea.) in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee area, which is a very hot market with limited inventory.