I generally rule out most single family homes as viable rentals, as prices are pretty high relative to rents, so aside from some downtown neighborhoods, typically you do not find large areas of single family rental neighborhoods (a median sale price on a 3 bed, 2 bath home so far this year in Dane County on MLS sales data is at $430k). 

@Jordan Ray stop spamming this thread.

While I don't do this professionally, I have a software team that works for me overseas for my real estate business needs.

What makes you state this?

Say you are new to this, make it funny, but you are looking to buy houses locally because you want to invest in your backyard.

This entails building personal/working relationships with people successful in the field.

Tips or tricks that would help make transactions go smoother.

The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.

Quote from @Kathy Kifer: @Michael Plaks - I just came across your response to this question.

What about this?