In addition, your ability to attract a decent quality tenant will be significantly diminished versus a SFR in a good neighborhood.When going from SFR to MF, there is a tradeoff you're making. 

What features are attractive to you? 

Cons- It attracts unwanted behavior. 

It's useless to hire a pest control company (or spray yourself) if you've got a tenant who leaves food and garbage out that continues to attract roaches. 

or international attraction for the model to work, just a central location and a nice space.

It is definitely not the most favorable market for long-term buy-and-hold properties with attractive rates of return.I've been investing out of state since 2003.

The school ratings and low crime rate is what attracted us to the Sherwood area.We made an offer on the house originally to be the house that we live in.

I think alot of it has to do with the good press we have had over the last few years of being a good place to invest so it has attracted investors from all over the country.I have been investing in Richmond since the early 80's so I have seen all the ups and downs through the years.

If the block seems relatively quiet without much loitering, you may have a place where you can attract good tenants.  

That newer asphalt, or when it is resealed or newly striped, looks pretty sharp (but then you have some costs and maintenance), but I am not sure the attractive lot would bring much more in rent nor would gravel drive off good tenants.Finally, I shovel snow with the body sled type shovels and it would knock me out without a smooth surface underneath like asphalt or cement, so with gravel maybe check how that would work with your snow removal system (be it shovel, snowblower, or plow truck)...probably gravel best fit for plow truck...Best of luck