Best" is very subjective and the quantity of off market leads isn't necessarily the metric you should be focused on.

Also, focus on 2 years of job/income stability.Class D Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciationVacancy Est: 20%+ should be used to cover nonpayment, evictions & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores under 560 (almost 30% probability of default), little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, recent evictions.

If you find someone that seems to know a lot of people needing your services, wouldn’t it make sense to focus more resources on them?

A tidy, well-organized space can help the appraiser focus on the home's features rather than distractions.Research Comparable Properties: Have a list of comparable properties (comps) that have sold recently in your area.

I would focus on saving enough money that if I had a deal go bad, then that money I saved was there to cover it. 

We focus on layouts that feel spacious but still define distinct areas for living, dining, and entertaining.Flow is Everything: A home’s design should feel seamless.

Of course, my focus is veterans so I may be biased. 

Since you’re committed to staying close to family, I’d suggest focusing on properties that might need a little work but have potential for appreciation in your market.

Focusing solely on numbers often leads to the purchase of low-quality properties.

I think you are right that I can't rely on the sellers income statement and should focus more on comps.