Our current low interest rates are making deals that wouldn't have worked four years ago workable.

Staying north of the highway and east of E 156 is preferable and its even better to be as close as possible to either Waterloo or E 185th.My general impression of the neighborhoods around Harvard is areas in the E 150s blocks and higher are mostly stable, around the E 140s blocks is a little bit rougher but still workable, and the areas in much lowered numbers then that can be a lot more challenging.Earlier this week I was looking at a package of properties on behalf of an out of town investor that I work with.

Assuming you are comparing generally similar properties as you indicated above.The MLS will provide some workable deals, there are also online auctions like RealtyBid, or physical auctions like the sheriff sale and Hudson & Marshall. 

@Neal Salmen. either one of those two tracks would be workable. 

Workable R.V. ratio3.

Chase will give 6.125% on a cash-out-refi, which seems high but workable.

It's not possible to advise about what would or wouldn't be workable for you from a lending perspective without more detail about the rest of your financial picture.

Hoping you can tell me if these are workable deals and which one might be better, and also what type of offers might be reasonable.

Welcome Eva, it's tough to find workable deals in major urban markets like NYC & LA without a ton of cash or leverage.  

The price to rent is workable but tight unless you expect amazing appreciation