Look into neighborhoods like Jefferson, West Boulevard, Cudell, Clark Fulton, Brooklyn Center, Old Brooklyn, and Garfield Heights.I suggest working with an investor friendly agent so you can get the right guidance!

We also lead a Joplin Area REIA on the First Tuesday of each month at Old Chicago/La Quinta and a Springfield Mo REIA on the first Thursday of each month at the Relics event center.

@Christopher HeidrichRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

-------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Commercial Revenue Generating properties like office buildings, apartment buildings, retail centers, etc (banks call it "CRE" lending) are typically evaluated from their net operating income, not gross.

They are very real and, very C-D class. 

@Daniel GrantzRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Quote from @Michael Smythe: @Jerry NoguerasRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

You've done well with your Class A rental, generating $500/mo in cash flow, this adds up over time.

Unfortunately, I live in the dead center of it.