And this really effects the quality of the candidate that you can attract, with the occasional exception.But investors that don't have the capital, experience, or balance sheet to buy 500 units have to live within their means, so to speak. 

Most of the lots out there are zoned agricultural/residential with a maximum density of one family unit per 5 acres (or occasionally per 1 acre). 

I still use Trulia, Realtor.com and occasionally Zillow esp for their new rental trends.

But, occasionally, it does not work and the lender is not willing to lend based on the group policy dynamic.  

The agency that does Section 8 in my area said it happens "occasionally." 

The deal flow has been quite a bit less, but you can still find the occasional three or four unit that makes sense to house hack. 

You can occasionally refi one instead of selling it... then the money that comes out isn't taxed, but you have to slowly pay it back in.

I had a few rentals that I owned with a partner (just sold) and do occasional mailings for cash purchases.

Several in the thread have pointed out that they didn't think the romex alone could be causing the problem, but my (admittedly uneducated) guess of what is happening is that the line has already degraded and is exposed to the earth, and occasional moisture which is causing the issues.I contacted the sellers construction manager today (he did some other work on our punch list and was an all around good guy), and waiting to hear back from them.

She said her boy friend came over 'occasionally'.