Make sure you give The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods a read if you haven't already done so.

His advise was that the return on investment to buy land and build from scratch in a B-grade area would far outweigh what's out there currently.This isn't really my area of expertise.

Are the towns outside of Detroit like Warren, Southfield and Redford generally safer higher grade areas?

View report*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.A few things that jump out at me. 4 stories (above grade) requires 2 stairwells.

I'd suggest reaching out to different brokers in the area for insight on which areas are appropriate, or, in the alternative, you could seek out a local partner that could assist in maintaining/managing the property.Also, check this guide out for a brief overview of neighborhoods:The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods

You can use The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods to assist in this.

Investment Info:Large multi-family (5+ units) buy & hold investment in Chicago. 6 flat in Logan that is zoned RM5, which allowed for two additional units based on lot size and current above grade square footage.

It will be a good map to use while you're in town searching for properties & doing your meet & greets.The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods. 

Same goes for carpet - rental grade berber or cut pile is the least expensive. 

To your other question, I grade location on a curve.