The CPA I use now for my other business told me I really only need to distinguish between expenses and assets but she may not be experienced in rentals. 

That's what distinguishes the successful businessperson from the rube who buys self-help books.

There are many variables to investing in these homes to consider, you should consult a realtor and property manager that can help you distinguish in how you will use it, what you want out of it, how you will manage and many other items.I would suggest looking into Windsor Properties (Hills, Westside, Palms and Island), Solterra, Solara, Storey Lake and Championsgate.

Elizabethan decor, which is where many head to, can be hard to distinguish from a funeral parlor. 

Metropolitan Statistical Areas are by definition large and encompass great swathes of regions and whilst this information is useful background information, remembering that one of the distinguishing features of the Real Estate Asset Class, as compared to other classes, is it's highly segmented character.The most profitable ( and some would say, risky) revenue streams of RE is appreciation and that's what you're trying to determine when you are looking for how to determine which stage of the RE cycle an area is in but within Sarasota, Tampa and Jacksonville for example, are a myriad number of micro-markets that could provide an asset that over the next 5 years would create a huge loss or a huge gain based on the characteristics of the micro-market.

@Chris SeveneyWe need to distinguish between originating a note, financing a note, holding the note, servicing a note and brokering a note.

As far as I am concerned, distinguishing between the characteristic 'tude and money habits of these two varieties is a lot like debating the differences between Prussian and German cockroaches.Now my question for you, Karen, since you began the pointed questioning -- do you have ANY residential tenants at all?

Consider job stability, length of employment with same employer, personal appearance, interior condition of vehicle, length of time at their present home etc, etc.There are hundreds of characteristics that will distinguish one from another.No two are ever equally qualified certainly not all 4.

One example of how the data analysis should be done is: There are typically major neighborhood boundaries which distinguish between 2 areas/neighborhoods.

You'll make clearer decisions distinguishing them as separate steps in your mind.I may have some resources if you'd like to connect off the forums.