We have zip codes that have lower and and higher end areas within the same zip so not a good marker to use.Going along with that a lot of the neighborhoods are very street by street or change pretty quickly by block, so you have to be aware of that.

Local references are invaluable because those lenders have proven themselves in your market.Work with Reputable Companies: Some well-known DSCR lenders with a solid reputation include Lima One Capital, LendingOne, Kiavi, RCN Capital, Visio Lending, and Easy Street Capital.

Is it on a busy street, does it have a view, etc..

The lot goes from street to street.

An auto body shop across the street that "stores" cars needing work there.Since abandoning the home, major landscaping would also be needed to clean up the walkway to the water.

For example, I've had a couple of 3+ bedrooms sit for a longer period of time because they only had one parking space available (and no on-street options nearby).

@Kevin Hintz It's property dependent, obviously, but last year, I sold one a street back from the beach that they're cash flowing.

At yet another sale there was a brick row house/town house for sale that looked good from the street, but since it was in the middle of the row, to see the back of the house, you had to walk around the block and see the house from the alley, where the entire 3 story brick back wall of the house was laying in the back yard, and there was no back wall standing. 

Call the mechanic or gas station up the street and ask the owners if they know someone.

Quote from @Tannia Castro: I would say the key would be to narrow in on an area (this could be a city if you are not from that area and investing remotely), or this could be a part of the city (some local streets) if it is in your backyard.