Many things go into determining value such as location, condition, quality, schools, modern (open floor plans), size of lot, etc. 

I'm looking at picking up a 3-story townhouse in the Parkside neighborhood of West Philly.

Loan amount or equity does not determine your gain. 

Where would your top location picks be?

How much money you need to put down would be determined by the purchase price, so it is good to get familiar with the market you are looking within to understand when the price makes sense.

It's very possible that they determined they did not have legal authority to excercise a contract due to a problem with their transfer from the foreclosure having to be corrected/re-done.I would try to sit tight and make sure the listing agent knows you still want the property.

I'd say that it is probably determined to a certain degree by area customs. 

I’ve actually never had to ask anyone “how do I get started” or “which strategy should I pick” because the information is out there already.

How determined are you to bridge the gap between your actual abilities and success -- because there is most likely a bridge that exists between what you think is going to happen and reality. 

From my preliminary research I have determined Jersey City and Yonkers to be the best cities for cash flow within 30 minutes of Manhattan.