However, based on your timeline, it seems like your decision may have already been made.

Those tend to be the neighborhoods that are gentrifying.Unique stuff to Pittsburgh I would say is don't go based on zip codes since one zip code can be composed of multiple different areas/neighborhoods.

Ymmv based on your locale and who you are talking to at the time.

Based on 27.5 yr straight line depreciation, that's about $1,700 of missed annual depreciation; $25,000 over 15 years - and at an ordinary tax rate of say 30% tax could amount to $7,500 off my current tax bill. 

@Aaron Zimmerman Good point about structure set up and determining cost bases.

The bigger point is that if you use Walmart, Lowes or some other big box paint the base colors can and do change which will make touch-up difficult.

Hi Derek,Based out of Surrey, BC and thinking of investing in the states as well.

I have seen loan qualifications based solely on passive investment income from rental properties, social security/disability payments, pension payments, etc. 

To communicate that a candidate doesn’t meet your qualifications without violating fair housing rules, you can simply focus on the criteria rather than the individual.

Many times the tenants are income based and pay 20-40% wherein only 60-80% may be guaranteed.Aside from the rent percentage issue is pride of ownership.