Look for areas with strong rental demand, low vacancy rates, and proximity to schools, employment centers, and amenities.Future Growth: Check for signs of future development, such as new businesses, infrastructure improvements, or public transportation.

You can't judge an area solely on crime rate and employment and salary data, but it certainly helps.

Scranton PA is a great spot to invest.Pros:- Low cost of buy-in / not much needed in comparison to other areas due to affordability in purchase price- High-Cap Rates- High Cash Flows- Stable market / continuing to appreciate- Beautiful revitalization of the downtown- Influx of jobs, employment opportunities - Plenty of renters- New Amtrak service coming- Surrounding neighborhoods are sought after, solid schools, "home team" mentality in most of the towns where people want to stayFor the Cons:- I can't think of any OVERALL cons that couldn't be avoided in working with the right team.

This is more ideal for a tenant/someone that has a background in doing handyman work but at this point you have to understand that you are now also going to be their employer. 

Minimum qualifications that I typically look for with tenants are a 600-620 credit score, need to be making at least 2.5-3x the monthly rent in combined income (verify their employment by making a call/googling), and I don't like to see any previous evictions/certain felonies for background check.

I think to accomplish this you are probably going to need to employ a couple of strategies.

If employer doesnt match, might as well do a standard ira if you qualify.

If you are identifying individual private money lenders, you can consider having a conversation with them about using their IRA, previous employer 401ks, or other retirement accounts.

But we know that 99% + of people paying for mentorships are no longer even trying to employ those strategies or techniques within - 12 months.  

Note, if your 401k is all with the same employer you have always had, and you are still working there, you likely can't move it.