Redfin and Zillow does provide an approximate rents in the neighborhood but doesn't provide a trend (or i may not be looking at the right place) and since I am new to the Schenectady market, I would like to know if it is going to be an upward trend or is it declining.

They're paid by the job and if their performance ever decreases (which can happen - they're great for a time and eventually for whatever reason their quality, timeliness, etc declines) then it's easier to phase them out & replace them with a different crew. 

The city’s investment in infrastructure, new businesses opening up, and revitalization projects have made a real difference in neighborhood quality and overall economic activity.Population Growth: After decades of decline, Detroit's population is finally growing again.

Keeping giant investors out of the single family housing market is another one.Rents keep flatlining/declining.

Pricing Strategy: In a declining market, offer slightly below fair market value to ensure room for negotiation.7.

D-Class areas have high crime, poor tenant quality, and declining property values.

The important points often glossed over are (1) is the buyer providing their personal guarantee to the seller for the note (2) is the seller maintaining a wrap position so they can foreclose in the event of default and gain ownership (3) is the buyer putting up additional collateral (4) how large is the down payment (5) what is the LTV (6) is this a personal residence for the seller or investment property (7) will the property cash flow and if so what will the cash flow be (8) is the property in a increasing, declining, or stabilized area (9) is the property being sold at market value, or above market value because of the low interest rate of the existing mortgage and (10) how experienced and what is the track record of the buyer, and is the buyer purchasing a property for investment or to live in or otherwise use.  

Lately, my lead flow has struggled (CTR-ALL has been declining and CPL has been significantly increasing). 

Tenant risk is lease term remaining, sales/billings from the location, overall financial health of the tenant (i.e. solo practitioner with this one center as their sole source of income and declining billings, will not likely keep the property well maintained, and when they move out, you will have work to do), need for this use and/or competitive urgent cares in area, etc. 

-Townhome/condominium sales continued to decline, falling 23.0 percent, with the median price up 7.1 percent to $240,990, and the average price rose 10.9 percent to $290,048.