Trying to make it where there is a lot of data, easy to use, and have a lot of articles written by local experts.

I will lend an example via data. 

I'd suggest checking local Airbnb/VRBO data or using AirDNA to see occupancy rates and average nightly rates in the area.

What is your expected appreciation and what is the data to back that up (e.g. how confident are you in you answer)?

Any other major syndication site has restricted sold data so it will be incomplete.

A good property manager can be an invaluable resource for first-time investors, even before you purchase your first property.

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.

Greg makes a great point about reaching out to active brokers, those connections can be invaluable.

Finally, the data they are using to demonstrate the price hike is WAY out-dated.

@Joe Gettler, I don't have great data b/c she just helped them for a couple of months, but I think it's just under $4K a month for a nice 2 bedroom in a good location.