I still come across 1% deals in Columbus and Cleveland, with more cashflow and slightly cheaper deals in Cleveland, while significant economic drivers (OSU, Nationwide, Intel, Nationwide Children's Hospital, etc.) make Columbus a very attractive destination for appreciation. 

Columbus shows consistent appreciation, and has large drivers of demand, like Ohio State and all of its facilities, as well as Intel coming in, which will bring thousands of jobs to Columbus.

What are the drivers in Ohio?

You’ll should be a sophisticated investor if you are using appreciation as a value driver.

with those is always where to find other syndicators  But regardless, I like the upgrade idea because I can do it with sole control or maybe 1 partner at some point in the future but I wouldn't have to be a backseat driver to my investment. 

Some good metrics to look at:Median home priceMedian household incomeMedian rent price (specific to bedrooms/bathrooms or square footage)Population growthFor cashflow: price:rent ratioFor appreciation: look for significant economic drivers (large scale employers, tourist attractions, development/construction, employers moving in, etc.)

You probably can get your driver's license if you don't already have it.

Lots of positive economic drivers showing them selves in Spokane, and Seattle seems to be overflowing.

Driver's license information can be used for identity theft.  

When you get into other areas of the country school districts can be important but there are FAR more academy's than you see on the west coast so public school is not the big driver since their kids will go to private school..