How do you know an area is renting?

[Troy Welch]

As a new investor living in a big city, I find that I am looking at properties in areas that I am not as familiar with. My first investment is in a city 90 miles away near where I grew up and cash flows very well. Even if I am familiar with the area, I keep asking myself :

How do I know this property will rent? School district could be a good indicator, right? but what if the area seems far from employment?

What are people in this area looking for - 1-1? 2-1? 3-1? 3-2?

I assume one of the first answers will be to find a good realtor? Can a good realtor in my area really answer those questions if they aren't familiar with the area? How would I find a good realtor in the area that I am looking? And forgive my distrust but sometimes,,,sometimes... finding a good realtor can be like finding a good car salesman (no offense to the good realtors out there)