:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

And sometimes banks are the ones who mislead such a home buyer, by issuing pre-approvals and approvals to sign a contract, but then back out when more sophisticated underwriters spot an issue (in buyer's income, credit score, DTI, property value and etc.) that loan officers who gave preliminary approvals didn't want to see.

There are many parts of Philly that have undergone incredible transitions.

However it really depends on your credit score, LTV and cash flow of the potential property you are looking to purchase.

In the meantime use this resource to find out the areas around hereUse this rating and classification system I have created over time to get an idea of the "Class" for the area - A class B class & so onhttps://www.areavibes.com/Here is my rating & classification for each livability score. 80 and above A+78/79 A76/77 A-74/75 B+72/73 B70/71 B-68/69 C+66/67 C64/65 C-60/63 D59 and below F

I've seen lenders exempt years spent in college as "work history" but the borrower would still need to have sufficient funds/reserves and a solid credit score. 

How often does family and friends disclose their tax/income to you, their credit scores, their performance reviews, etc.

We screen first, telling tenants that we don't accept smokers, we want a 670 credit score or more, that we want them to bring verifiable gross monthly income at least 3x the monthly rental to any showing we set up, etc.

They are incredibly unreliable and very underpowered.