. - DC and Baltimore are very different and even within the two cities real estate can vary wildly.

It is, or at least was, something of a wild west. 

Pit bulls and wild parties are fine, but in your own home not one of mine. 

Wild.

If you haven't bought in that part of town before, utilities can vary wildly so be sure to check how much the property has costs for utilities over the past year or so.

@Chris L.That's a wild story!

Known as “Project Wild Cat” it appears Amazon will be building a 20 acre (Yes 20 acre) fulfillment center that will bring 2,000 jobs to the Old Pueblo.[2] Geico to Build New Corporate Office in Tucson- Geico’s regional office is staying in Tucson and they will be adding 700 new jobs.

If you were to apply income based valuation on 1 to 4 unit properties, you would likely get the wild swing that you have observed.Second, the formula of "Net Return" as you defined it (i.e never seen it used before) is essentially Cap Rate * 5 (i.e. using your assumption of 20% down).

. - To buy smart because our income fluctuates wildly. 

@Jason Toledo Welcome to the wild west.