On paper, things like higher rent to price ratio, average cap rates, and high rental %'s in the area seem to be the best data points to atleast steer me in the right direction.

You can have two houses that are identical according to the data on paper/ virtually, but millions of dollars apart in value for infinite reasons that you just can't know without being there (level of finishes, condition, smell, same builder or different, how the property will show to potential buyers, micro-location (same sub-division or different one across the street, one has awesome views while the other doesn't, one could be on a lake while the other isn't, one could be next to gas station or on a busy street, near train tracks, a smelly factory, backing to commercial or high density multifamily, one could have settling issues with the foundation because of expansive soils while the other doesn't etc. etc. etc.).

Are there duplexes and triplexes in the midwest that look great on paper, but that need tens of thousands of dollars in capex that is not obvious from a quick visual inspection, that will kill a decade of cash flow if not bought correctly? 

@Amit Doshistay localthe midwest looks great on paper but comes with its own challengesyou will have to look off market and / or get creative - you can't buy an on market LTR and cash flow just about anywhere right now.go to REIA meetings, meet wholesalers, network, etc.good luck

Simple paper work during processing takes care of that part. 

I assume you’re not charging them for using your fridge’s water filter or if there’s less toilet paper at move in.I don’t like the HOA overstep or the idea of nickel and diming tenants.

The catch is that we own our own business and, unfortunately, can not qualify for a 2 million dollar home on paper.

To that end, every lead has to agree to abide by what's called the "white paper," a set of rules that governs such things as how much compensation a lead investor can take, when he can embark on another acquisition, and other provisions designed to protect the passives. 

Investing out of state looks good on paper but you will NEVER achieve the numbers the sellers and realtors are telling you. 

This is theoretically risky business because I give money to the developer against a piece of paper in a foreign jurisdiction and I might never get anything in return, as the project isn't even officially launched.