Even realtors try to manipulate comps and so I often will have to advise the realtor to make some adjustments to a comp if the properties utilized in the analysis, area or some other characteristic do not align with the subject.If you have the capability to capture the amount of real estate transactions such as Zillow does; not just in a particular city, state but at a country level, including granular details of those transactions, you have a right to make logical and defensible opinions about market place events and behavior.

Since the properties are graded according to location and physical characteristics; also considered are a combination of factors such as age of the property, location of the property, tenant income levels, growth prospects, appreciation, amenities, and rental income when graded. 

And renters want location, schools, price, clean and basically, the ability to have family, co-workers, kid's friends over and just live without being embarrassed or affronted by outdated, ugly or unsightly damaged finishes in a house.  

What other characteristics are you all thinking of in terms of 'friendly' or 'un-friendly'?  

What are the top characteristics or abitilies that make a general contractor attractive to the real estate investment world? 

It sounded like he said it was the observable common characteristic of neighborhoods in Sacramento that retained their value well during the last crash. 

This doesn't mean that you cannot employ this strategy successfully in an area that lacks those characteristics, but having strong fundamentals allows you to raise up your sail and allow the winds to push you.

Based on my experience, the rent needs to align with neighborhood AND unit characteristics (i.e. size, finishes, amenities etc.)  

If they're especially suited to the house or have some sort of irreplaceable characteristic then there are paint additives that you can get (Floetrol, etc) that helps smooth brush strokes and make for easier application.  

But here is what I know about myself and my desires (this is not "fluff" or cliche characteristics, this is honest and raw truth!)