Some area inside EPA is quite okay these days.To be very honest , the way to survive in this location are three key things:1. needs to own a house, and house in the are currently is quite affordable from its standard.2. needs dual income family, with one side working at tech / finance / ; or maybe construction.Lot of hard worker people, not just the one in tech, is very succesful in the area due to high income earner and lot of jobs.  

Or, if their respective state allowed for dual representation, the LA could "cherry pick" who they wanted to work with. 

As you know, that's called a dual agency.

There's always turnover, so vacancy is never zero....if dual income couple can afford $1mil homes, that's my point...why do they rent from you....almost never will they be long term renters if they can be buyers.

Some listing agents won’t even take calls from buyers... others will refer buyers to a 3rd party agent to avoid dual agency issues. 

For me, a dual approach(holding some in NOVA for appreciation and others out of state for some cash flow) is slowly becoming imperative.

Just asking for a friend.Sure, IF a broker has a good deal and IF they are acting as a dual agent and IF the finders fee is only $500 then it might be difficult to find a broker willing to go through the hassle.

Perhaps you are in a state that can do dual agency.

If you’re a licensed electrician, no sweat...High voltage lineman school?

Try to do some dual credits in your senior year of high school.