We invest in Indy on a retail and turnkey basis with a high volume vendor that we have been very happy with.

Around here, the acid test on a septic field is the hydraulic load test...they put a specified volume of water (based on BR count because systems are sized/designed based on BRs) and measure the water level in the field following the specified input. 

@Maxwell Lee  can't buy your way in you have to transact and buy in volume.... along with you can't bid then bail.. you do that more than a few times they drop you. so if you bid and win you better close

@Jason Johnson I'd take $50k of that $200 and short the S&P or Russell using high volume ETF's.. 

Find the top selling volume realtor in the area and get their advice and have them list it.  

:D Also, if you are that guy/gal that networks and knows everyone, how many people in your state/city do you estimate use direct mail in volume excess of 500 pieces/mo?

The transaction volume is down significantly, which suggests that investors think the inventory is too expensive. 

Just like with traditional renting, volume cures a lot of ills and can minimize a lot of risk that you mentioned above. 

There's not enough volume at 8 feet per minute to serve 2x bathrooms, a kitchen, laundry, 2x outside hose valves on a 1/2" line and acutally it's even tight fixture unit wise on a 3/4" K water main.  

So if you do little volume yes the contractor will have a better rate.