Kansas City / Independence Missouri Investing: How is the area?

[Leaven Phillips]

I've been doing a bunch of research for full du/tri/quadraplex's to buy and rent in Kansas City Mo. I’ve found many (what seem to be) good deals in Independence, but I can’t get a gauge for how the Independence area is; demand for rentals, crime, schools, etc. It also worries me a bit that so many people are selling duplexes. This must indicate something, yes? Maybe vacancy rates are too high?

What type of numbers should be looked for? ROI expectations?

-LP