what can I offer to them to improve everyone's position?

While it's just as possible that rates could improve tomorrow (after all, if lenders already "knew" that rates were going higher, they wouldn't be wasting their time offering you lower rates today), the classic lock/float quip applies: it's better to lock when you should have floated than to float when you should have locked.

Now that prices are climbing (due to general economic growth and relaxed lending) persons who previously wanted to sell are now able to list with confidence that they will get a reasonable price. 

But if you pay attention to where the local government is spending money you may be able to purchase if an area that  will be much improved later.  

As Ali mentioned, the Philly market for MFH is pretty competitive, however if you are willing to put some work in, or invest some capital to make some repairs, opportunities exist.One thing to note, if you buy in the next few months finding renters might be difficult if you do in fact make improvements to the property (as it is vacant).

Since houses don't trade on cap rates but rather sales comps and fewer institutional buyers purchase houses one or two at a time the price to rent ratio has actually improved in comparison to multifamily in Houston. 

This will also give you the confidence to make offers on properties knowing you have the buyer already.  

"Attend your local REIA clubConnect with a decent local real estate investor agentBuild a decent real estate investing teamCory podcast regarding multifamily house hackingStudy Brandon Turner threads regarding house hacking My suggest would be ( 90 day plan ) :~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-> 1st month review Askbp podcast at least twice( located under the " learn " tab )attend your local REIA club meetingssteady paying down your debt-> 2nd monthreview all weekly Podcasts at least once( located under the " learn " tab )attend local REIA club meetingsStart building your investing real estate teamDetermine your local areas for potential investingenjoy the holidayssteady paying down your debt-> 3rd month slow up on attending your local REIA club meetingsremove dead weight from your real estate investing teamStart taking actionenjoy the holidayssteady paying down your debt-> 4th through 12th monthsKeep taking actionSteady improve your real estate investing teamsteady paying down your debt

I think that having a partner you trust in a particular area can dramatically improve your performance, especially if you are not living there or don't even have the chance to see the area.I also think that it is very important before you find a partner to experience real estate on your own, so that you have a good knowledge of what investing means.

But with more parking and a larger devolopment of downtown Bremerton will be the only real way i see any improvement in equity building.