Could it be a cultural reason?

Check out Contemporary Information Corp CIC It's not free... but the scope and quality of information that you get is awesome.No matter which service you use, hopefully you are having your tenants pay the screening fee.

I'm actually looking at a pretty comfortable "retirement" in a few years while a lot of my contemporaries are starting to panic and look for second careers.Seems like you're in a pretty good area for getting started with a limited amount of funds, too.

In Asia or Chinese culture, people do care a lot to live in a new house rather than a SECOND HAND house; in other words, the 2nd hand will depreciate a lot like a car once people lived in for awhile.

Today, I think it's the hipster culture leading the charge into new neighborhoods.  

Keep in mind that East Lansing is a very different culture than Lansing.  

There are great restaurants, outdoor activities, nightlife, single people, cocktail culture, nerd culture, etc. 

Along the way you will encounter naysayers, some who think of REI as degrading to their culture and of course those that are grudgeful of your accomplishments.Oddly enough some of these negative vibes will emanate from your family, friends and haters.You have pointed your REI compass in the true north direction and frankly should ignore those that are negative about your goals and accomplishments. 

Even your tattoo thing, great you just discriminated against a whole bunch of Polynesians on the basis of nationality (and/or religion), because face tats are part of many of those cultures (and/or religions). 

Keep in mind that in some areas "bring your own appliances" is simply not the rental culture.