This is a fantastic resource and has been paramount in getting me started in real estate!

(Action is paramount to your REI success)Its hard to say what town will be the next "hot thing".

The above suggestion about a good GC is paramount, and THE number one thing that will keep you from losing your mind and money. 

It is my opinion that house hacking is one of the very best real estate investment strategies but the location will be of paramount importance.  

Plus, customer service is paramount.

I agree with @Ronald Perich, good accounting is paramount and transparency is key.

So screening is paramount, and even then, you will run into issues. 

I anticipate that creating automated (or at least predetermined) systems to deal with foreseeable events (through education and trial and error) will be paramount to our keeping our REI from becoming too time consuming. 

That would give you a step up in basis so that the tax and depreciation recapture are entirely wiped out.Regarding a Rochester QI the location is not going to be of paramount importance. 

I can get so inpatient and with retail real estate patients with buyers and sellers who really don't know the rules of the road or understand any of this is paramount.