Even better, you have a diversion tactic.

Is there a diverse job market that is providing higher wage jobs to stimulate growth?

Local or not the most important information you are going to find (numbers, returns, DOMs, trends, appreciation, population growth, job diversity, etc.) is going to be from research, not by driving by houses so really the world is your oyster.  

Highlighting the demographic trends, employment growth, and job diversity materializing in my sub-markets have resonated with foreign investors and have helped them become comfortable.I generally structure my presentations and conversations with foreign investors around the following:Basics of syndication and property ownership in the U.S.Demographic trends, employment stats, and job diversity in the sub-marketSpecifics of the propertyBusiness plan to enhance the property's value during the ownership periodFinancial projection and details on financing termsOverview of property management firm and other key team membersAdditional detail on the surrounding metro area and the location of the property relative to transportation hubs, retail, and employment centersAppendix:Basic requirements for foreign direct investment in the U.S.Anticipated timeline for fundraising and closing

Those are often a diversion and cloud some sort of tenant mischief.Best of luck!

But if you want to grown to some really large amounts and make $500k, $1 million, then I think a big name brokerage adds a lot of value, as well as serving a diverse set of clientele.

Buy affordable housing in markets with high housing demand, diverse economies, and modest new construction.I would not be maximizing leverage at this point.

What is great about this market is such a diversity of industries that employ people that the area is relatively recession proof.

More diversity, more safety, more profits coming soon.  

Job diversity has been important to me.