For my day job I work as an Actuary and my primary experiences is in Risk Management, Asset-Liability Management, and Model development - which I hope to translate most of these skills into my real estate investment plan.I am interested in growing long-term wealth through acquiring a portfolio of cash-flowing rentals. 

Sounds like you've read through some of the posts about screening tenants - some may translate to your situation some may not, give it a re-read and it may hit you like a ton of bricks that - that is just the question I need to ask - write it down in your bullet points.Sounds like things are pretty crazy with moving out and whatnot, but do get your pictures together as soon as you can, even if you have to shuffle the mess from the kitchen - take your pics, and then move all the mess back into the kitchen to take pics of the living area...I'm sure that'll be a PIA, but will take your mind away from not having the pics up in the first place and ultimately feeling self-conscious about not.  

I'm also not sure that a new high school across the street will translate into better than average appreciation, but if you know that market, I'll trust you on that....

However, in my experience there is a lot more competition for larger properties these days which translates to higher prices and lower returns.That may not be true in your area so I would encourage you to just review as many properties as possible and run the numbers on all of them.

Having “x” does not translate into “y”.  

You need to understand how to translate the screening results and determine if they are qualified3.

So it works for them, it works for us, and it works for you -- that point or two on the back end translates into a point or two that you don't have to pay upfront. 

Those skills/knowledge can translate well into real estate.

When owners of property we manage ask how long will it take to 'turn it over' the question really translates to this:  IF the property is 'rent-ready' (showable), IF we have access, IF it priced according to market, THEN it normally takes 2--3 weeks for a vetted, fully qualified tenant applicant to sign a lease.3. 

I'm translating this as it's highly unlikely in the next 27years I MIGHT own this property it could flood.