I've heard people talk about metrics and that you should know all this data about the areas you want to invest in, but what are the top 10 or so pieces of data you want to focus on?

I had a contractor estimate our kitchen to renovate and priced us $40-50k..so I decided to do it myself with my husband.Instead of changing the kitchen cabinets coz they look like we're in the 80's we painted them all white.The backsplash is the problem..I thought I could handle it but the material didn't stick that long in the wall..everyday I would see pieces falling apart!

I am purchasing an off market piece of developed land.

Your mail piece is designed for one purpose, and that purpose is to generate a phone call. 

I had to put pieces together to figure out what was being said here.. 

The wall was real pine (and only one wall in the room) but the previous owner had ripped out some pieces over the fireplace and painted a mural.

Their rents gets hit and here is the distinction between the average BP'er and Grant Cardone; he can weather the 8-12 month storm and/or reposition his assets with cash reserves, lines of credit, pooling cash flow ect.

Most cant call title company and get a date down on the phone  We could and did. and most wont take the risk  which we did.. there is a lot of risk buying sub too with no title insurance or paying off a loan with no title insurance.. but that's were the big money is made in this field.I would walk into the homes we bought and many times the people leave the 200 plus direct mail pieces they received right there in a neat pile on the counter..

I have found really distinct opinions on it.

I've never heard of such a distinction.