If you're truly interested in this project; always make an offer, that meets your needs. 

Most owners are local and therefore “hot” money or out of area players are not yet chasing Pittsburgh assets, keeping prices favorable.References United States Census Bureauhttp://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2017/august/economic-impact-report.htmlMarcus & Millichap 2017 Multifamily Investment Forecast2017 Commercial Real Estate Trends Report by Integra Realty Resourceshttp://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/September-2017/Staying-CMU-All-Eyes-on-Carnegie-Mellons-Future/http://www.nextpittsburgh.com/features/pittsburgh-developments-watch-2017/

When you can communicate both your strategy and criteria (and are financially credible), you can leverage your network and get meetings with brokers who are willing to shop for you.

Just because you want to hit a specific number doesn't mean the market will meet you there.Great example of how Class C properties may appear like great cash flowing investments on paper - meaning fully rented, paying on time and normal levels of maintenance.

As for the 2% rule, most of the properties that meet those criteria are in war zone locations.

Are they meeting your long-term investment goals?

Hope to see you at more real estate meet ups too!

You can find something in Durham and parts of Raleigh, specifically zips 27610, 27603, and parts of 27604 that would meet your criteria, however generally speaking most of the inventory that would fit what you are looking for in Raleigh or Durham would likely be in neighborhoods that I personally wouldn't want to invest in, C- to D type neighborhoods.

I landed on the numbers I did because that makes it cash flow nicely for the buyer in addition to meeting my goals. 

I remember once I was in a nice area of ATL at a closing and the attornies office was hot I asked whats up he said his two condenser got stolen that night LOL.. its a very active sport out East of the rockies we just dont hear of this on the west coast..