I'm still in the planning/searching/learning phase of this, so take anything I say with a grain of salt. :)I would stick to places you can drive.

I just refilled all our salt buckets when I took down Christmas decor this week.

So, all other things equal, winter pricing would be lower in the "really really cold" regions than the warmer areas.I had a rental in Salt Lake City for many years that happened to have a few winter vacancies.

As they have gotten more sophisticated, they also include historical taxes, penalties, arrears, and other information.Generally speaking (grain of salt), the property is 'supposed' to be 'appraised' on a regular cycle (e.g. every 3 years). 

It can be salted or unsalted.

When I said I that I wanted people to interpret it with a grain of salt.

I leave a few bags of sand/salt for them to use on slippery areas. 

Lastly, I also take a lot of things that Dan Gilbert says about Detroit with a grain of salt.

But like I said, I am a new investor so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I don't have personal experience w/ MTR, so take this with a grain of salt, but Hampden is close to Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus, NOT the medical campus/hospital which are located on the east side of the city.