It's fascinating to see how the rental prices relative to property value fluctuate as you move towards/away from the downtown metro area.  

My brother lived in the Cedar Park area when he went to school at University of the Sciences...I think it's a great area with upward potential. 

I agree with you, finding a balance between risk and returns is not an exact science.

The art of music, gives everyone a voiceThe art of science, brings the power to heal others and the world we live inThe art of language allows us to share with the worldThe culinary arts allow us to feed others without poisonThe art of money, brings the financial freedom to enjoy our lives and spend more time with family than in your employment. 

I was always fascinated by seeing something being made possible from just an idea on paper.I am hoping this website will provide me with a wealth of invaluable information and advice as I work to be a real estate investor.My very first project (which I'm still in the planning stages of) is my first home which I will use as my springboard/dive in to real estate investing and construction: I am hoping to buy a house in its foreclosure/short sale stage or a fairly run down property and subsequently "remodel" (but really rebuild) from ground up.My budget is tight and could be bordering unrealistic for the type of house I want and the neighborhood I'm looking at, but I don't give up too easily and believe that if I ask enough people enough questions, I can just about make it :)Anyway, that's me!

The science of water is simple. 

I hear some of the guru's speak about algorithms and various methods as a way of determining the best areas to market in ('best' meaning dollar wise), and that kind of stuff fascinates me, and I would love to know if there is a way for me to find this stuff out?

Pulling and analyzing comps is an art just as much as it is a science.

I recommend reading "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, and  "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace Wattles in addition to real estate books mentioned by the other writers on this post. 

I have a degree in environmental science and was once a certified license wilderness EMT.