I agree with @Stephanie P. you need to find your strength and what you enjoy.  

Keywords such as COCR, IRR, CAP Rate, DCR, Equity, Debt, Debt service, yield penalty, terms, amortization and other weird financial terms that you will need to understand to evaluate the financial strength of the dealWHY should I invest with them - this is wher you define your goals and make sure the current offering match your goals.

If you’re going to invest in NYC you need to have the financial strength to absorb a 12 to 18 month eviction.

A lot of CA haters fail to understand the fundamental strengths of CA, innovation, innovation, and innovation.They only look at the negative aspects, but failed to recognize the most important economic driver.Just imagine a US without CA.

I don't want to swing a hammer or plunge a toilet and the whole idea of collecting rent  or taking folks to court when I could be putting a loan together for an investor, closing and getting paid is completely foreign to me.Read "Strength's Finder" by the Gallup organization and it may give you direction of where your strength's lie.Best of luckStephanie

Right now I feel like my strength in REI is more on the management and Reno side, so probably want a local deal or two before venturing out, but need to search long and hard to make #s work in Northern NJ.

I really recommend "Set For Life" by Scott Trench and "How To Invest In Real Estate" by Brandon Turner. the first one will teach you how to handle your finances and invest from a position of strength, into the second one is a good overview of real estate investing to help you grasp the major concepts.

What is your estimate of lost economic strength due to high water prices?

The population growth is what will speak to the strength of the rental market as @Nathan Grabau hit on.

To be the best, you need to keep improving your qualities, your strength and weaknesses. - Alexander  Alexander,I believe you should outsource & delegate your weaknesses rather then working on them.