My view is that you should first ask yourself some questions before seeking professional help for asset protection.1.   

For example, the unemployment rate, relatively low, is 6.5% versus MA's 3.5%It's been a long time since I was more familiar with Springfield, so I'm not sure about the impact of the casino.In general, similar to other working class cities like Fitchburg, in Springfield I'd imagine you'd fine the following conditions:- Attractive Cap rates- Medium vacancy- You're paying a realtor or property management company to find tenants (in higher end cities the tenants pay the realtor fee)- Section 8 tenants -- could be a negative or positive, depending on your view.

That will make it 10 times worse if you view it as your home and not strictly an investment5.

I would also add that it may seem expensive in CLT area from your point of view but for many of our new transplants it is much more affordable.

For a comprehensive view of the Las Vegas investment market, message me for my blog link.

I am going in with my eyes open and we shall see - I am a cynic like you, but plan for the worst is my way of viewing the investments

I view my primary as my long-term home, 3 young kids with a good school system, so this is where we are settled.

Then I started working with a realtor to view properties and made offers.

The key is buying properties significantly below market value, keeping costs low through self-management and maintenance skills, and taking a long-term view to build wealth through forced appreciation and equity capture over time.

I have a few that I utilize alongside Google Map Street View when I am really digging in, but I find I have to bounce around for resource to resource to get the full picture.