Quick Market Analysis

[Spencer McNeal]

When searching for markets to look for deals in, more so long distance markets, what tools do you use to decide whether that city, or specific neighborhood, are worth even looking for deals in? Almost like a precursory scan. For example, you probably wouldn't want to be near the East La Loma / El Vista area in Modesto... or just about anywhere in Stockton. So how would you go about identifying these types of areas in other cities?

 I know ideally you would want to reach out to RE agents and others familiar with the area but that takes time. So, before you even do that, how do you decide if it's worth reaching out to people in that area?

I guess I'm referring to something like CityData; and if that is a tool that you use, what are you looking for specifically?