Hi @Howard C Green and @Ned Carey, I have a SFH in the Charles Village area that I rent and have been solely focused on this neighborhood that I know well.

My wife, daughter and I are moving to TX to serve and get a little more training at the village church.

I am a big fan of the less gentrified neighborhoods of Hermosa, Little Village, Uptown, etc. in addition to the Opportunity Zones with regards to capital gains tax deferrals.

I do a lot of work in Merion Village, OTE, KLB, and they will notice. 3- Removing a fireplace is much easier than restoring one.

Just make sure the city has a solid infrastructure and don't invest in small villages where nobody wants to live. 

One was done through Meredith Village, and the other was done with Granite State Credit Union.

The best way to own is to house hack, get a 2 fam with permit and town or village oversight, yes they cost more but the rental can mitigate your expenses with the rental income.

A crossplex village is under construction with hotels, shops, etc for it.

Google "Crossplex" & "Crossplex Village"I have a house on my website for sale that's 2 blocks from the Crossplex & Police Station. 

The same thing in parts of L.A too that used to be “gang areas “ but now hipsters are getting into bidding wars over properties . https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Realtor-Hot-Spot-NYC-Realtor-Yelp-NYC-Rochester-Buffalo-450315393.htmlhttps://www.newyorkstatedestinations.com/explore-niagara/elmwood-village-hipster-hotspot/http://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/group-speaks-out-against-gentrification-in-the-queen-city/1083119084.