We are inexperienced though so any feedback would be appreciated. 

If you can't figure out how to park and walk to the courthouse after multiple attempts, I think real estate may not be not your cup of tea.

I take no pleasure in being blunt, but the first warning sign was a 17% interest rate--sounds great to an inexperienced investor, but the realities of the real world make that VERY difficult to be successfully paid. 

The bottom line is that I'll stay home and skip Cochran and Watson's Las Vegas weekend (Vegas has never been my cup of tea in any case) and I'll spend my money on my own marketing campaign. 

My day job is Marketing Director for an international tea company, but I'm looking to add an alternative revenue stream. 

Hello Bigger Pockets,I am an inexperienced investor new to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

If an Agent is not asking you questions like this, they are either irresponsible with their time, inexperienced, or just not interested in getting paid. 

If all four conditions are well met, e.g. its close to Center City with good transportation (public or otherwise), pricing is steady or rising, permits are constant/persistent (indicating still room to grow), and rents are solid, if improving, and the inventory moves quickly -- you have a good neighborhood with long term growth.Would love to hear other investors thoughts on this -- these are just my very inexperienced thoughts.

I've been doing my research trying to figure out what those are, and wanted to open it up for discussion since I'm still new and inexperienced down here.

They simply see exactly what you described - inexperienced land owners with good fortune.If  you keep looking you may find a relationship that suits both of you.