If your goal is to offset your mortgage with a house hack then Lowell would be a good bet, but if you're looking for a longer term appreciation play then the areas closer to the city would be better, although the offset from cashflow may be lower than what you're looking for.A good step for you would be to dig into specific areas more as @Lien Vuong noted above.

The key with this is if you want to look into annuities (variable specifically) you'll want to find one that is lowest cost possible.

I like the idea of pre-foreclosure especially, but have not found up to date data for that specifically.

Local lenders might have specific insights into the market, but it really depends on the type of loan and property you’re pursuing.As for your credit, applying to multiple lenders can result in hard inquiries, which could temporarily impact your score.

The number of calls you make, are only important if you are guaranteed a specific dollar in return per call. 

@Shuvrajit Mukherjee what specific data are you looking for that Zillow did not provide?

The investors that I have worked with in the past have found units from SFR to quads that are ready to close with conventional financing.Connect with me for any specific questions.Best of luck.

Maybe it can help you in your specific situation, it depends.

However, consider calling the VA’s regional loan center or speaking with a VA-approved lender who can interpret the rules in a more specific scenario tailored for you.

If you need eyes and ears or want an opinion on a specific property, I am always happy to assist.