This is a double-edged sword; there is tremendous growth taking place in Lubbock, but that growth is what is occupying the time of so many good subs in the area.

My standard response re-states all the basics (rent, location, qualifications) and requests interested renters actually drive by the house before requesting an appointment. 

There are macro-market-specific variables such as median house price, population growth,  etc and micro specific variables such as which neighborhoods to target etc. 

It wasn’t until I received some pay raises and my income started to really grow that I got to thinking of investment opportunities again and something reminded me to throw on a podcast episode of BP while on a long drive.

Study the following: price of homes with 2/3/4+ bedrooms, RENT for homes with 2/3/4+ bedrooms, days properties are on the market, difference in sales prices for MF & SF homes then start looking at the actual neighborhoods: crime rate, unemployment rate, wages, any growth aspects.

Mainly MLS (REO, Short Sale, Keywords) and driving for dollars attempting to put together my own absentee owner list (takes forever driving for dollars, but good to learn neighborhoods).

My search has included analyzing the prices of homes in these markets, driving around the neighborhoods, checking on occupancy restrictions, student permits if required, college enrollments, crime statistics, etc.

In a lot of ways, C, C+, B, etc are in the eye of the beholder, so look for a place you (and potential compatible tenants/roommates) will be comfortable moving around in every day and forget what grade someone else might give it.Once you have the basic requirements decided, I'd go on a real estate sales site (Zillow is my personal favorite, but also Redfin, Realtor.com etc) and just start looking around at listings in your price range to find affordable neighborhoods to target and start driving around, then drive drive drive.

Still surprising to see the increase of inventory with all these developing houses but not seeing much job growth which kind of draws a blank.. 

There are not too many happy faces driving from Plano to Dallas during rush hour on Central Expressway !