I've scouted places both physically and online in Milwaukee - single-family homes, South Side Chicago (Woodlawn area) - condos, and in NW Indiana (Hammond & Whiting) - multifamily and single-family homes. 

You can get more accurate on this number by speaking with your lender, but 3% is fine for now.Yes, there is no substitute for driving/walking a neighborhood, but you can definitely do some things to scout it out in advance.

It's also a scouting trip to see if we like it enough to move there.

I remember your name on last year's scouting report when we waited out the snow to play you guys in MN.

@Brya FreelandI agree with @Sarah LewisNo one is going to scout properties for you without being paid.

Anyone in the Kansas City Area (Raytown, Independence, Grandview or Gladstone) available to bird-dog/ scout some properties for me?

I did some research on neighborhood scout and took a look at schools and rentals in the area and it seems like it's a pretty nice little town. 

Currently checking last nights bookings...  2:56am 4 Guests. (2 bedroom house) Used the word "girlfriend" and "eagle scout".

Scout this forum and you will find a ton of info from people doing this.  

Keep scouting neighborhoods, analyzing properties and getting real comfortable with the numbers you can see here in HR!