I could tell you fancy numbers and statistics and all sorts of stuff all day long, but why not just skip to the easy fix and ask people who have no stake in the game, yet have knowledge about what you are asking.Then bigger picture, a lot of it is ensuring the strength of the overall market.

Learn what is important in your market (for example, rice cookers are essential in Hawaii) and what is not important (fancy Espresso machine - not so much).  

Have flowers in a vase, or use a basket with a couple of rolled hand towels, guest soaps, and a couple of flowers.You get your color into the bath with the accessories.If I replaced the bathroom floor, I might take a look at the fancy cabinet sink combos, where the cabinet looks like furniture.

You get the idea :) I don't need to pick up chicks with a fancy car... what I want, REALLY want, is the entire world at my whim.

Even at that, when you see hedge funds going into a market, you ask yourself questions..I totally agree with @Joe Villeneuve  that Detroit is not for out-of staters but with partnership with boots on ground, its time to begin to look closely at what going on there.Do not let all the negativeness dampen your interest.....opportunities don't come dressed in ribbon!

. - Negative.If you have three years of credits (you don't even need a degree) from an accredited college level course and one year experience as a foreman you can apply for the license.If you have a construction related degree you only need one year of proven experience (doesn't have to be as a foreman) and you can apply for the license.Here is the application from myfloridalicense.comI'll see you at the "New Residential Contractor's Certification Gala Dinner" next year :)  Both of us with our fancy business degrees and all!

In particular, I've seen analyses of rentals where there are all sorts of assumptions about future rent increases and appreciation that are used to dress up a crummy rental.IMHO, if you're buying rentals you should understand the true cash flow you're going to get tomorrow.

Those days I happen to be dressed nice with make-up on - just coincidence, of course ;-).Subs getting a crush on you can be a problem, if you're single.

That will dress it up to give it some life, but not cost you a fortune.

poor fancy car.