Though property is expensive here, due to the all the area has to offer, it presents a huge potential for appreciation in the not to distant future. 10 houses in an area that is dead, and will take 15 years to begin to see life again, as opposed to investing in one house in a thriving area makes no sense to me.

I would strongly recommend looking into better options instead of having your money be dead equity in your home. 

But if you are dead set on sending him to a school, well, perhaps a deciding feature would be which employers recruit from each school, the career track at each employer for three years after joining, including pay, excluding benefits--because they are mills who discard the hire after a certain time in many cases, or the worker leaves to take another (so-called) better job.In addition to that which schools have which Fraternities, and which Fraternities are likely to be the most useful over the next 20 years in getting him employment if he needs it (and will he fit in with the Fraternity--or have to choose a lower ranking one).And also how inline or out of line is the School's (within the College) faculty with (your families) political leanings.Good Luck!

If you're dead set on it, look east of San Diego and in National City.  

I have rented numerous houses in every part of hammond and can tell you Adrian is dead accurate.

Season is longer than others tell you but not infinite.Rates are rather high in season yes = profit (motels in downtown can cost you easily 350$ per nigh for 2 people and you get a place where to park your car :D this is mid June to mid September) there is off season where many place close down and in dead winter same room can go for a 80$ per nightMy personal experience on occupancy rates over last 3 years Jan-60 Feb-60 Mar-65 Apr-70 May-70 Jun-95 Jul-100 Aug-100 Sep-85 Oct-80 Nov-65 Dec-65There is a lot to be said, got several horror stories and at least 4 trips at 2am to a house sometimes for something minor, sometimes an emergency...This is a serious game and unless you have the network or the means, out of state investors may not be extremely pleased.I am sure there are other opinions, I share my experience.Best "C"

But beyond that basic goal I don’t have a very fleshed-out plan. 

I just installed sod in a clients yard and her two small terrier (terror) type have it with more yellow dead spots than green.  

I see your point Nick but what Im proposing is a collaboration to compile a list as a resource IN CASE their lender doesn't.You are dead on when you say throwing a list at them upfront would look shady and like we are sending them to our cousin or somethign to get some more $$.

just talk to a decent CPA.. on this the loan is the dead simple one and keeps the funds from getting commingled..