For sure whichever market I decide on (I'm between IL, MI, and OH at the moment), I'll spend some time visiting.

Hard money does not get mortgage insurance which is sold from MI companies like MGIC, ARCH, Essent, Radian - Ask him to show you a policy example.

@Michael M. I

How about Detroit, MI?

Speaking from Michigan here, so pull from this post whatever makes sense...If the situation arises again, tell the tenant your intent to evict if the squatter doesn't vacate the premises - and start the eviction process immediately.

Or Michigan  (Detroit?).

Also, no "company towns" like Flint, Michigan or Gary, Indiana where a single employer can pull up shop and the town no longer has an economic driver.

I'm in Livonia / Canton area and I haven't attended any Washtenaw County or Ann Arbor REIA events but I do attend the Oakland County REAI meeting in Troy as well as the Michigan REIA meetings in Troy and they are super helpful and if you sign up to get their emails you can check the topics in advance to make sure it's worth the trip for that meeting.They usually have really good speakers. 

I am from Michigan and I am looking to buy in Detroit and suburbs around Detroit.

Do you think areas outside of a 0.5 mi radius of train stations have development potential as well?