I'd focus on deciding what you want to do (flip-high risk, but potentially high return...or large loss; short term rental-more work, but higher return than long term rental; long term rental-less work than the other two, but lower return).Once you've decided which you want to do, then focus on getting the best house to meet your goal. 

And talking with my leasing team, the properties that are moving quicker are on the lower end of the rental range $1450-1600.

Hi Daniel, Columbus GA has properties much lower in price than the metro Atlanta area, you should do fine to learn your local market.

Generally buying in nicer areas leads to better experiences and confidence in your investing, but lower cash flow when you move out.

If they have a good interest rate it might be worth looking to see if you could assume their loan to take advantage of the lower rate.  

If renters find out your utility costs are high, they will expect a lower rent to balance it out.

New Britain is where you are going to get the best ROI like you mentioned and this is because as a whole there are more areas within the city where qualified tenants are looking to live and the purchase prices are lower while still maintaining competitive rents.

The higher the risk, the higher the cap rate, the lower the price.My advice to anyone who is getting started: buy something safe.

If you sell the property, a lot of the $107K cost will be eaten up in transaction cost.

Contrary to most business lending, the REI industry has a lot of "non-bank" lenders that provide attractive loans that can lower your cost of capital and improve your profit/cash flow.