Still assessing if it was the property itself or the property class.

Is there a more accurate way of assessing this? 

He believes that area where he will be buying the new homes is going to appreciate and attract more MTRenters, but now, the big difference is that he would now have 3 properties that can go up (or potentially down) in value, go up (or down) in rent, and three times as many vacancies to fill.My back of the napkin assessment is that for only a drop in $200 a month in cash flow, he would control a lot more assets with growth potential and as rents rise over the coming years, the combined rents will increase to a total more than the single rent.HOWEVER.

Steve,Actually, this is where a more nuanced assessment of this comes in.I actually meditated and journaled on the very situation you described lately.

Then a hiring increase for local regulation officials or private sector to assess housing quality & approve it.

I would see how the home inspection goes (get someone good) and make a assessment than on how you want to proceed.

The only thing propping them up and forcing them higher is our monetary system and governmental regulations that limit competition in the market place. 

Towns in New Jersey can be wildly crooked and will try to assess you for things they missed on prior renovations before you even bought the property, which technically they can do.

Apparently, you can’t publish contact info outside of the marketplace...

Also what does the city say is the assessed value of the property on your taxes (it will be different than the appraised value, but should give you an idea).