Compare it to your cost of living now, and that's a great start. 

Consider a market that you visit often, have family in, went to college at, spent time in the past.You will have a better sense of what the good / bad parts of town are compared to a city you never visited.Best of Luck!

Also would love answer to the following: - Are there any specific challenges or advantages you experienced compared to a JV structure?

Pay it back into the HELOC and save up to 14% (compared to hard money loans).Need cash again?

We do not change fees or terms unless your appraisal happens to come in lower than the purchase price or the market rent comparables come in lower than expected.

Most everything in Cleveland seems like an awesome deal when you compare it to the pricing you've seen in NYC.

Compared to how to do bizz out here in the West were if they are wholesale deals and I dont need title insurance I just do my own deeds and record them..

Personally, I'm incredibly ignorant on the subject compared to others, but find it fascinating.

That's it, but a) print out a page for each property you think is comparable, b) make the list of repairs long and inclusive of everything you've done. c) Put larger items first like kitchen remodel......and don't just say 'kitchen remodel', list things like 'custom backsplash tile/Bosch appliances/recessed can lighting/pot filler/etc. d) Cite the price/value of the work done, and don't be afraid to be generous.

How are values changing compared to the rest of the local market?