i think you can be successful if you are willing to do what you alluded to, which is spend time in person in your chosen market. 

A straightforward way to estimate value is by looking at the price per square foot and using that to calculate your property's worth.In situations like this, it's worth spending a couple of hours yourself to get a solid understanding of the market.

More difficult after spending money on a rehab, but it might be worth an appointment with an attorney.  

In 2008 a friend of mine spend $300,000 to buy 100 houses in Detroit.  

Any changes in federal spending could influence the job market and, subsequently, the real estate market.4.

The investors I know finding properties on the MLS are making 30+ offers a week, embarassing offers, in hopes of finding 1 or 2 properties a month.Others are door knocking, cold calling, spending money on mailers to find off market properties.  

Asking strangers how to spend your money is a fool's errand.

1. 380k2. 280kHe wants to spend $350-400k on primary.

But if you have to jump through hoops or spend a significant amount of money to put it in might not be worth it. 

That is the decent (and courteous) thing to do, so that others won't spend time to write an answer, and so that others who search out an existing topic can see that answer.