What information is going to influence home prices, appreciation,  rental rates, etc. 

I am an investor in and live in McKinney, I would love to meet up and buy you coffee and talk about real estate investing as well as how your faith influences how you operate your real estate investing business.Sounds like you have a great attitude and plan, for your family and retirement.Good luck in your investing,Nick 

I've been involved in real estate for a while due to parental influence but didn't really pick up to full steam until last year.

@Jose Gonzalezbookswow my library is hugeI guess the best work book that I have on the shelf is "how to win friends and influence people"my other favorite book is "the richest man in Babylon"these books are life specific not just real estate specificin them are all the negotiation skills and the outlook on monetary gains associated with the changing times for all generationsthe best advise that I can give you is go out and look at properties and get one under contract and do a rehab- you can hack it or flip it but the more time you put into the field of looking at properties eyes on with a cut sheet you'll be a better investorenjoy

Also the number of "doors" you can rent should influence how much wiggle room you have.

.- Personal circle/sphere of influence - calling all of your friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers (past and present), businesses you frequent (dry cleaners, restaurants, bakery, grocery store, etc.).

@Jay Pillalamarri there is only one factor that influences market cap rate:  supply and demand.When demand is high, investors are forced to bid against one another, driving prices up and cap rates down.  

Experience working in brokerage and architecture services has drawn a desire from me to become a greater influencer of this property type.

Does the improvement of a school district influence where you invest in buy and hold properties?

Can anyone shed some light on the truth of it and the influence we might have in following the call to action therein?