The sites just can not bring to the table the full spectrum of knowledge that comes with working with a good firm or broker, IMO.

It takes into consideration all the factors you would look at if you were to purchase a home - crime, schools, transporation, unemployment, etc and arrive at an index score that is placed on a spectrum.

I agree.The appraisers job is to check comps and make sure his appraisal is on the conservative end of the spectrum.

On the other end of the spectrum, don't mail an attorney a yellow letter and think that will get you their business.

That said, find a level of tenant you're comfortable with, I literally have a landlord I work with at both extreme ends of the screening spectrum#6 It will be tough to get high deposits, but you should.

Some question points in my mind:-Is $150/monthly/per unit in cashflow pretty low on the spectrum, and therefore skewing my sense of the business?

@Josh Prince   JOsh my comments albeit passionate are aimed at the lower end of the investing spectrum.

Or on the other end of the spectrum, are you so broke you are using the free internet at the library and have this false belief that getting a no money down deal really involves no money?

The company I work for has a very broad spectrum of specialties.

Having experience with all three spectrums of the rental market, to me it just seems like there is more benefits and upside with mid and high end ... with low end there defintely is a market for it and you're correct a fourtune can be made there but like you also mentioned the big problem with low end market is when trying to sale the inventory its takes alot more effort to find buys that are willing to pay a fair price.