Finally, define your long-term investment strategy, whether you’re aiming for cash flow, appreciation, or a combination, so that each decision aligns with your bigger goals.

If your place is cheaper but I have to worry about utilities that I even have to set up that could be as high as $1000 a month, that definitely factors into my decision.

For every good matching comp at a high price theres 16 poor priced matching comps that the appraisers only focus on.

It is the seller's decision to sign or not.  

It's cool to know how to use tools to a do analysis but it has to be utilized properly.I have seen several flippers who have read Rich Dad Poor Dad; had every Performa, chart, analysis package, market analysis reports, cost benefit analysis, work break down structures, IMS and much more and botched every project. 

To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

Point being that property you acquire 1-2 years ago is likely to be subject to deferred maintenance and capex, so their "long term" performance in rankings 1), 3) might skew poorly in year 1-2 but may pickup  after you've found and fixed all the hidden issues.I know if i did this exercise across my portfolio, the recently acquired ones wouldn't be fairly "stacked" because of all the year 1-2 cost build up from what the seller deferred, but have good chances at being future performers in years 3-5.Maybe that's why you have 2) and 5) but curious your general thoughts here are for evaluating this. 

You get as much objective information about them so that you can make an informed decision. 2.

Or like some of the crowdfunders money flooded in and they made some pretty seriously poor lending choices and they themselves and their investors got wiped out.

We built it out of necessity and started same way as everyone, cut our teeth on bad decisions.