Since I'm pretty sure nobody here has much involvement with massive numbers of data tapes, I'll also throw out that my day job just released a tape analytics product I designed for performing this same sort of analysis on data tapes and drives to detect potential problems before they result in data loss.The challenge for what you describe, Matt, is data.

I use Google Analytics code and set a conversion goal on successful paying subscribers to the RentingYourHome main product, in order to confirm exactly how much money we make each month from different blog posts.

And quite often with the two parties having differing view points.My skill set leans toward the analytical side of dealing with numbers, technology, etc.

Make sure you put the plug ins for the Google analytics for Wordpress so your web traffic has the most accurate stats.

Before you go investing your time in a bunch of content, measure, measure, measure what people actually do.For example, if you put a link in multiple places to "About Joe" and your analytics shows no one clicks on it, then:A- It's a waste of your time to write your own flowery bio.

Maybe a little analytical, but that's how I think about the value of my time.

J Scott's Book on Flipping Houses has been instrumental for me in getting started in real estate.Are you analytical, by nature? 

All superb areas that present the kpi's that you are looking for rentals.

My first major difficulty and where I am stuck is that I know I don't want to invest in a zero appreciation play, so I think this means I have to assess (1)cashflow + (2)forced appreciation available through property/tenant improvement + (3)future appreciation to analytically compare any potential purchases.

I would say thus far only about 10% of tenants do a superb cleaning job. 90% of time its a poor job and things need to be additionally clean.