I would highly recommend you listen to all the podcasts from Kenny Bedwell - Cashflow Positive.

Any other info that can support your price...school rankings, city rankings, positive news articles etc. 

Some have more than $1 million in equity while others have less.4.

Most will cover up to 100% of the renovation costs and 70-90% of the purchase price, depending on factors like the type of property itself, your experience, credit position, and the lender’s specific guidelines.  

You can put first position liens on much better quality real estate than the real estate you would be buying and can easily generate the rate of return you are seeking between points and interest payments. 

It's an amazing market to be in because you can still find the 1% rule and positive cash flow while getting amazing appreciation potential.

Georgia Amendment 1, which authorizes the General Assembly to implement a statewide homestead property tax exemption, has far-reaching implications for both current homeowners and the broader real estate market.Short-Term Positive Impacts for HomeownersThe primary benefit of Amendment 1 is the cap it places on the annual increase in a home’s assessed value, limiting it to the statewide inflation rate.

I don't think your first property needs to be perfect, but doing the work in advance gives you the possibility of refi (in a good rate environment) or more equity on a HELOC.

We pride ourselves in keeping the forums positive, helpful, and focused on real estate (please, no politics, religion, etc.).

This is why what Stuart mentioned about the positioning of Real Estate is so important and why you and everyone have heard the phrase: "Location, location, location"