-Yardi MatrixColliersDemographics -Best PlacesBureau of Labor Statistics (Unemployment/Employment rates for specific cities)WikipediaLocal Profiles (Usually the city or submarket will have a local profile with info)Crime -TruliaNeighborhood ScoutBest Places Just a few for you, I hope this helps!

I love the theory behind a subject to deal, however i'm curious how some of you guys handle the potential drawbacks of the deal.I'm not very worried about the due on sale clause, it seems that this happens so rarely that statistically it can almost be ignored. 

I've looked at the demographics for statistics such as income, population age, resale, new development, taxes, economic growth potential and with a few variances which appear to be associated with the size of each area, they seem fairly similar.

Recent statistics came out stating something along the lines of 7 million people are now behind on there car payments.   

Crime statistics, etc...

If you are working with a real estate agent/broker, talk to them about statistics of where there are the most sales. 

When debating statistical performances then the game becomes how to display the metrics.  

I understand the basics of looking at Zillow and Trulia and identifying the median home prices in specific areas and understanding the statistics behind the community, i.e schools, crime, growth, etc.

Is the median income trending up, etc.Once you start getting into individual neighborhoods you probably want to look at crime statistics, foreclosure rates, etc.Is it possible to find a deal in a well established market using the 1% rule?

If you want accurate values, you need to get comps and property assess a property.As far as future values go, you take take your best educated guess based on a variety of statistics (like job growth, population growth, increase in median wages, etc) but nobody has an accurate crystal ball.