Look at crime statistics, is there lots of violent crime or a few car break-ins?

I believe they referred to D properties as areas with regular violent crime and C properties as areas with regular non-violent crime but virtually no violent crime.

In Chicago, the southside has an area called "Englewood" which leads the city in murders, violent crime, etc" Chicago also is the murder capital of the US (despite the strictest gun control laws in the nation a discussion for another day).

It depends on rural, suburban, or urban core areas how far you go out in evaluation ring of an area.What I look at is violent to non-violent crimes in the area and if the frequency is flat, decreasing, increasing and by what pace.There will always be crime especially tied to population levels.

There is neighbor resistance to special needs, particularly when you are talking about violent behavior, sexual behavior, drug & alcohol treatment, or prison halfway houses.

I don't rent to drug or violent offenders.

CRIME is a big one.The percentage of non-violent to violent infractions and if crime is increasing or decreasing in the immediate area.Intermodal transportation study is another and the future land use map.This will give you an idea of where they are today and what they have planned for the area in the future and how the city and county will be allocating their resources to develop certain areas.Much more items than this but it's been a long day and my brain is out of fuel........ :)

Also in most states you need to disclose if a death (violent) ever occured in the property.A friend had a tenant die in a rental and had a similar problem contacting the NOK.

This guy could have been on drugs and could become violent when you turn him down or even try to rob you - the RICH LANDLORD.

The guy turned out to be a convicted felon with a history of violent behavior and drug trafficking.