There are probably other variables I would add (5 year GDP, crime stats, sports teams, number of Targets/Walmarts, number of Whole Foods/Trader Joe's, Fortune 1000 Companies, major universities, last 5 years of population growth, price/income, price/rent) and also add a weighting system, but I think it's a good start.I'm making my own spreadsheet for this purpose.Search market analysis here on BP for other helpful forums.

Spend half a $ million on a place and then not bother to go to WalMart and buy a $150 set of pots and pans.  

If it bothers you too bad you can always work as a greeter at Walmart instead of an real estate investor.

Those just go to the post office or Walmart and get the money orders from there.

That's like saying you have access to save money from buying from the people Walmart get their products from directly.

For apartments we used the Wal-Mart white semi-gloss.

That is why I took my money from the sale of my Commercial lots and paid Cash for a 3/3 Townhome with  garage and small pool in a 17 Unit Community on top of the hill behind Walmart and Home Depot.

The  continued influx of suppliers coming towards Walmart home office as well as several other retailers Home offices continues to grow the area quickly.

With that being said, it is on the outskirts of town, next to a major highway, fast food, grocery store in backyard, you can spit on Wal mart from there, across the street from a nice gym, etc.

Centerpoint sold immediatly to a rehabber for a nice profit.Fairfield is a dump, blighted, drugs, no industry, Walmart closes.