I'm not sure I would ever count on appreciation in the Birmingham market.

Value can be counted in more ways than just money.

In my market there is no difference in desirability regarding bedroom count- tons of interest in both. 

I think the larger silicon valley companies are increasing their head count in Seattle.

Make sure to count that cost in your ROI calculation. - Regularly thereafter - besides being able to check on your propertie(s), it can also be a tax writeoff. 

I read too many new landlords buying a house, and instantly jacking the rent up on the tenant, too many new landlords making up the law as they go along, too many new landlords that are heading straight to slumlording.But I would still hate for BP to turn into forums I've seen in the past where a group of users who have massive post counts, have a clique going, and berate new users for sport.

@Kevin YooYea for me personally anytime I see someone with an extremely high vote count I am always impressed by them and take my time reading when they do post.

IMO this is the one that counts, as it gives you an idea of what the property's potential value/ROI is.

Just to give you all an update we still have that house listed even after lowering the price because our “wonderful” mentor failed to explain some reasons why sq footage of a house might not count, such as not having AC/heating.

Don't count on that as a means to move the property although it might work to generate more income if you decide to keep it.