(also a good private company to follow is Walmart....are they investing into the area?

There are many variables to consider in this evaluation process and in addition to the things that you listed to look for (crime rate, neighbourhood appearance) here are a few more variables I would consider when assessing the an area:- Proximity to amenities (grocery stores, fitness centres)- Distance to public transit (ie. terminals and bus stops) and other transportation improvements  - Whether the neighbourhood as a whole is in transition to increase or decrease in quality - Building of new infrastructure - Moving in of a major employer One other tidbit of advice I heard recently which I thought was great is to follow the big box stores (ie. walmart).

The top ten list of employers in the city is a good mix of healthcare, govertment (Schools, County and City) as well as retail (Walmart), and industry (Freightlier, FKA Six Filtration, American and Efird, Pharr Yarns) and food packaging (Dole).  

We use those to stage and no one has ever been the wiserYou can get cheap area rugs from Wal Mart and they look pretty good too.Leave out a dollar store candy bowlIf they come their with their relatives make sure to hit on the different safety aspects that make the property great.  

Flippers are considered "dealers" by the IRS and are treated the same as WalMart.

Walmart will always have better economies than the ma and pa corner store.Your expenses are lower because you are having tenants handle maintenance issues.

I buy a $40 set of pots and pans from WalMart. 

You can probably find a decent one for around 200 ($199 to be exact at Walmart for a 6,000 btu window unit). 

And like you said, Pepsi isn't going to train a start up company, Walmart isn't going to train some small start up. 

Walmart HQ) and interest rates I'm struggling to find a deal where I can actually cash flow (or even come close) after PITI and operating expenses at ~40%The average 3/2 in my area is renting for $1,500-$2,200 but to purchase a similar house with 20% down I'd be right around $2k PITI.