I waited 3-4 months to find the right fixer upper in Springfield VA right next to the area you are inquiring for.

Right now the average in the Connecticut market and western Massachusetts (think Westfield, Springfield, Longmeadow, etc. - not Worcester) is about 1.1% to 1.3%.

Springfield, MS. 

I now have a home in Springfield that I acquired largely by accident and it needs a ton of work and just am sort of looking where to start with it.

After that purchase I focused on Springfield MA.

Springfield, Worcester, and parts of northern CT have all appreciated nicely in the last few years (and especially in the last 12 mo), starting in Worcester and working westerly. 

Incidentally, I owned a lot of properties in the Springfield, West Springfield and Holyoke Massachusetts areas and Mass. was never a tenant-friendly state since judges are so  screwed up several of my tenants got away without paying rent for almost a year .

I live in Springfield and I am at the second stage of your plan owning an SFH and renting rooms. 

With renting out the whole home, I would likely be looking out in the suburbs (Springfield, Manasssas, Chantilly, etc).

Hello, I am a new investor from Springfield Missouri area.