If it's not transportation, housing, or food, don't spend a dime on it. 

I highly recommend figuring out your car situation prior to being an agent otherwise you'll spend all your time transporting between properties.

I'm one of the few that has a fence and enclosed backyard, and they have been cutting my entire yard for 2 years now. 

My conservative estimate with labor and transportation time was about 5 hours.

Smart housing, small and somewhat communal - some common areas, not too many steps, near public transport, etc.

We added $40K-$50K refinishing the hardwood floors, removing wallpaper, painting walls and updating the kitchen & bathroom with new cabinets, adding granite countertops and creating a BEAUTIFUL dining room off the kitchen that was wasted space as an enclosed porch, and also added french doors leading out to a newly-built pre-finished deck we added so the new owners could enjoy their gorgeous fenced in backyard.

The city’s diverse economy, driven by key industries such as transportation, healthcare, and education, supports a robust rental market.

I think these neighborhoods have the potential to be high demand destination rentals due to parks, the lake, nightlife, easy transportation, etc. 

Buy where taxes are low on rental properties, populations are growing, economies are growing, and there are at least two of the following: Gov spend, Major healthcare, transportation hubs, universities, sports teams, industry concentration, tourism, manufacturing.

Improving public transportation and ensuring it remains accessible and fare-free is a positive step, but it's not enough if residents still need to commute long distances for work or basic amenities.Investing in local infrastructure, encouraging businesses to set up in Worcester, and providing incentives to attract and retain jobs within the city are essential steps.