When choosing a location for your first rental, it’s great that you’re considering factors like crime rate, population growth, employment rate, and price-to-rent ratio—those are all key metrics.

The overall LTV (including all 3 mortgages) will be key and your selling point will need to be that the 2nd mortgage ($8k) will burn off in 2.5 years (based on your surprise that it was even out there, I'd recommend that you follow up in 2.5 years and ensure that it's been satisified, so that it doesn't surprise you again in the future).Does the $8k grant vest over the 5 years? 

Property values have been appreciating rapidly in recent years, and the city’s population has started growing again—a trend we haven’t seen in decades.I’m also based in California and have been investing in Detroit for several years, so I understand the concerns of out-of-state investing.

That's the key component that is usually missing when I hear other entrepreneurs/investors say they don't like QBO.Something else to keep in mind is your entity structure and how your entities file tax returns.

the key will be breaking the Broker code its one thing for Brian to get a look at good deals its another for the average investors 

He copies trends, isn't an original thinker.

We’re seeing significant softening on new placement rents, I’m interested to know if others are seeing similar trends in their own portfolios and what they're planning to do next year. 

RE Brokers in the area are a key team member as they should know the area, good rental areas, and they will be a good resource for rentals (possibly, if they deal in rentals).

Then, they sign the lease, are issued a key, and can move in.Nobody moves in without passing my screening and signing the lease.

They can give you insights on specific neighborhoods and current market trends.