Easy access to major highway and train station.

A location with development going on and perhaps near a subway station. 

I am looking at a couple of duplexes in the Bryan/College Station, TX area right now.

The news stations are marketing companies.

@Dan Auciello:No, I would not pay for a list of private lenders and nor should you.If you want a warm relationship with private lenders, focus your energy on organically entering their orbit by borrowing their more expensive, higher interest hard money first and not messing that up. 

What do you think about small food markets and gas stations; convenience stores?

Michael - Another thing you could do is call the local police station and ask if they get many calls around the area.  

$1,550 2 bed/2 bath 974 sq. ft. condo in Largo Maryland across from the Metro Station.

I've rehabbed three homes, all which I lived in for ~3 yrs while I was at a station. 1.

Where are you stationed?