It would be worth studying up on that technique.Because you know the area so well, presumably you have a solid understanding of which specific neighborhoods are most desirable (and un-desirable)--use that to zero in on properties in the most desirable areas.

@Tim Swierczek I think has a good idea, but again the cost being upfront (not in a closing situation) and within reasonable limits is a direction you could probably go.Hope that helps (clear as mud as usual when it comes to the legal mumbo jumbo haha!).

When the lake started to recede and the salt water level intensified until it killed off all the sea life and slowly ate away at paint, metal, wood or anything else in its way, the Great Salten Sea became an abandoned ghost town and refuge for motorcycle gangs, drug runners, illegal's and just about any/all undesirables that could survive there. 

That's called the "Throw as much Mud on the wall as possible, and hope some of it sticks approach".  

Grateful to be out of the stuck economic mud and finally able to consider moving properties again.

I know a similar situation has happened in NYC too with people getting priced out of areas that at one time would of been considered undesirable or cheap. 

If we are talking about generalities, the West side is considered desirable whereas the east is considered undesirable.

2% to 8% is possible but is usually going to be in undesirable neighborhood.

The possibility of getting stuck with an undesirable long-term relationship is exactly why you have to vet like crazy before you cut a check. 

I don't follow that area but there are a few on here that do and it sounds like there are some undesirable areas so you may want to watch for that.