If you drive your Investment Vehicle by looking in the rear view mirror (looking at past data), you will crash your Vehicle.

Out where you are, there's also tons of secondary markets to explore as well that don't require plane tickets, just longer drives.

I'd like to explore the use of options in a series of blog & discussion posts and would appreciate connecting with anyone that has had experience with real estate purchase options (note: these are not lease-purchase options for renters).Thanks!

I'd explore it a little more fully. 

@Scott Smith congratulations on your gain as i am exploring option 4 below as well .

Use Zillow and rentometer.com to get data and analyze a few from your home to see what type if returns there are.If these meet your investment criteria then start looking in person. 

We are going to get rents up to market once the rehab is complete and then explore more value add opportunities.

I was looking at data specific to 04086 but it may have been a broader scope.

Lots of great data and perspective on there. 

We are exploring some other markets that have more growth but the returns will not be as good (equals that of phoenix), but will likely have more upside on appreciation and rent growth.