Consumers don't want to pay higher prices, but land is hard to get, materials have gone up and labor is rapidly going up.

I wanted to invest in an area that is rapidly appreciating that has rents high enough to also cashflow.

I personally invest in Michigan, I own properties in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Metro Detroit. 

Scan the reviews for those that are written by other owners, not tenants.

I work with several OOS & IS investors who are purchasing new construction at that price point in the rapidly growing Cherokee County area of Metro Atlanta.The builders will sell to an OOS investor like yourself as long as the neighborhood covenants allow for rentals.The rent to value ratio can vary quite a bit based upon whether or not you got a 4/3 at $240K or a 3/2 at $270K.

I've been scanning around the country for the best multi-family rental investment locations.

If you decide to go that route then you will be considered a customer and any agent you dealing with will be representing the seller whether or not they are the listing agent.I think the agent was trying to say that in SC an AGENT must represent a client in a transaction, but you as an individual does not need and agent to represent you.

This drives up the price (appreciation) and so long as the neighborhood stays in demand, this can and often does continue for decades.Because it is a nice area, the rents typically increase more rapidly than in the less desirable areas ... maybe not as much as prices (see 1 above), but rents go up more and faster than in rougher areas.

Should appreciation happen at a rapid pace it will be a welcome surprise.

It’s also very popular right now as it’s a very fragmented market and the game is changing rapidly in terms of new types of stores being built in urban and suburban locations.Make sure to do your research and study the markets you are looking to invest in as there are a lot of stores in the development pipeline right now and most REITS are pulling back  on purchases.