As an out-of-state investor, that level of transparency and no-BS approach is exactly what I’m looking for.Before I sign on, I’d love to hear from anyone with experience using them in the last 12–18 months.

Remember: flipping makes you rich, rentals make you wealthy.It also depends on your level of experience with renovations.

However, inventory actually dropped month-to-month going into January because strong December sales absorbed homes faster than normal.

We’ve also seen a noticeable number of listings get withdrawn or expire, which has created follow-up opportunities with motivated sellers who didn’t get their price the first time around.On rehab scope, comfort level really comes down to execution and risk tolerance.

Sure there will be a finance and numbers component but from the limited development experience I have, the devil is always in the details and its always solved via relationships at the local level.  

Then I skip trace them for phone and email, and score them by motivation level (years behind, debt ratio, absentee status, etc).The owners who are 3-5+ years delinquent are usually facing foreclosure and way more willing to talk.

Also, prices continuously rise due to inflation, so your rental income must grow faster than inflation to maintain purchasing power.

It should be:“I’ll give you more attention, faster communication, and military-level reliability.”That’s your edge over a big PM.When you talk to them, focus on:Availability & accountability – They know you personally.

Entry-level properties move faster, and margins are no longer forgiving for sloppy underwriting or hopeful pricing.But here’s the important part:A competitive market does not mean an unprofitable one — it means a more strategic one.Scranton’s 2026 Appreciation Changes the Math EntirelyAccording to national projections, Scranton is expected to see over 11% year-over-year appreciation in 2026.That appreciation is exclusive of forced value.Which means investors here aren’t choosing between: appreciation or cash flowThey’re stacking: market appreciation + renovation equity + rent growth + operational improvementsThat combination is exceptionally rare — especially in markets with relatively low barriers to entry.Appraisal Friction: The Real (But Manageable) Pain PointOne of the biggest challenges investors face in Scranton — and in most secondary markets — is dinosaur-aged appraisal methodology.Many appraisals still: lag real buyer demand, underweight stabilized rental income, & fail to reflect renovation quality accurately. 

Was it time, scale, stress level, cost, or something else?