While a syndicator may provide slightly higher upside, we prefer flexibility and diversity.

Joliet has a pretty diverse landscape.

I have to get ready to fly to Atlanta early in the AM, but I'll have my laptop and some time to respond more thoroughly once I get there.But, the reason for those 3 diverse markets: My partner, who also is a property manager is in Southfeild, and manages and owns several hundred SFD's so Michigan makes probably the most sense.

The great thing about the area is job diversity.

Were I marketing it I would brand it 'ecologically diverse'...

Do they have stuff that is beyond cosmetic repairs, to maximize your capital expenses, the diversity and population growth they have.  

Philly is a wildly diverse city.  

Real estate is diverse already with land, rental properties, homes,or commercial buildings.

Make sure the area has strong demographic growth Look for a strong growing and diverse economy , look for an area of growing retirement population , look for new and substantial infrastructure changes .

I want a very diverse portfolio (wholesaling, fix and flips, buy and lease options), I will eventually switch over to buy and hold when I settle down after the military.