Jewell, you're spot on about focusing on a property's weakest areas.

If you dont have the tools and skills to DIY and get yourself out of a tough spot then you can be SOL if the deal goes south.

I believe Travis' ranking is spot on and how I would rank them.

Specifically, where are the opportunities and how do you spot them? 

Instead of focusing solely on the popular spots, they expanded their search to neighborhoods like Linda Vista and Lemon Grove.

I’m starting to dabble in real estate investing and a local agent told me this is a great spot to network and learn.

Hi Sunny,I expect DFW and Indianapolis to be similar to as you describe, although $250,000 price point can be tough on newer homes less than 10 years old. 

My objective is to buy about an acre of land, that is already leveled, access is being done, and utilities are going to be 5 feet from the property; and then build 3-4 shell retail spots on my plot, owner occupy one of them with a business and lease out the others.I am meeting with a developer this weekend, but have some wrong numbers regarding the average cost of building a shell space. 

Killeen and Harker Heights do have some good spots and various multifamily options.

This is Spot on, It was actually Kavi that I was referring to.