When looking at violent and property crime rates, I cut out some markets because I felt their crime rates were higher than I was comfortable with.

What are YOU comfortable with? 

They are not going to feel comfortable if you are going into "their space" while they're there. 

Housing prices in Beloit are definitely cheaper than Janesville, and Janesville is (for obvious reasons) significantly cheaper to invest in than Madison.Can't be of help to the property management part though... we've looked and looked but haven't found a company we are comfortable with... your best bet there would be to join up with the Southern Wisconsin Landlords Association and network for a quick recommendation. 

I'm not saying to be there friend, just be an advocate to having a nice comfortable and safe place to live.  

So, it all depends on what you are comfortable with and your investment strategy. 

Once you’re more comfortable, you could start exploring other channels like direct mailers or pre-foreclosures.Don’t hesitate to connect if you want to dive deeper into specific markets or strategies.

Budget for property management costs and choose 2-3 markets based on rental demand, property prices, and comfort level.Good luck!

That can take longer than most people would be comfortable with on their investment properties but once you're on the books, things tend to run pretty well.

Which one is the better one, if we know we are getting it from someone who has used it for 20 years then I feel more comfortable.