Occupancy is not a particularly valid measure.

He could survey a vacant lot where the proposed plant was to be built and using a slide ruler with a tape measure he could pinpoint within an inch the exact same location the licensed surveyors marked using their transits.  

@Austin Petrie Great question and I agree that MIRR is, generally speaking, a more useful measure than IRR. 

@Hadar Orkibi and @Aaron Klatt, what is a good measure to use for growth in an area?

I agree with @Chris Sellers that your next step is to begin narrowing down your market choices.My best advice:Be ruthless with the numbers - Be crystal clear on your financial objectives and how you'll measure success.

(they measured the footprint of the buildings, determined roof square feet and then multiplied x the "going rate" to arrive at a price. 

What is the 1% rule - can someone direct me to where I can learn about that and other rule of thumb measurements I should be familiar with?

You aren't gonna be doing anything measurably better or worse by picking Cleveland over Indy & vice versa.

I'm setting up a single-family residence for multiple living units. I'd prefer not to install more breaker boxes and meters if I don't have to. I know it's possible to monitor usage for specific circuits using a few ...

@Hannah Rubin @Dean Iodice If you are measuring our market's "deals" against the ones you hear about on the podcasts, where they talk about getting the "2% Rule" to work, then you're correct.