I agree with a lot of information that was stated here -Location, cost of living, personal situation (family or individual) - all play a role into which way people will steer when looking at potential rentals. 

We use a technique from a lady on an older BP podcast that was super diligent in her screening process and we follow that like the Bible and it has not steered us wrong!

However, I wholeheartedly see what you're saying, though I tried to steer away from RUBS for the simple fact of truly not knowing how much is, in fact, being used-- too much calculation when I don't believe it would matter either way.   

Even in Seattle there are some neighborhoods I would steer clear from even though it looks like all of King County is a guaranteed win!

I was wondering if anyone has experience with obtaining a professional property appraisal during a renovation to see if the after repair value per unit is what you anticipate it to be and then using the appraisal value (in this case on the first 2 units) to steer the level of renovation on the subsequent units. 

I appreciate that information and I am going to definitely steer in that direction rather than a mobile home.

@John Underwood I spend minimal time on FB...but you haven't steered me wrong thus far.

We found a great one who was very helpful in our search and steered us towards the beach communities near Tampa as a blend of cash flow and potential appreciation.

A four plex just sold the other day in South Salem (good area) for 615K.I would be interested to know where exactly this property is because there are certain parts of Salem I would 100% steer clear of. 

This would be a clearly prohibitted transaction and could blow up your SDIRA.Personally, I try to steer people away from partnering with their IRA's.