Real-estate investing is a very attractive pursuit for us because it has such good potential for providing financial security.We have both been reading the forums and listening to the podcast for several months now, as we've been working on finding and closing this first deal.

If you invest in your kitchen you will attract renters quicker and more consistently than if you invest in another bedroom..

Will you be able to raise rents and attract better tenants (i.e. is it an area where better tenants want to live)?

If this were a long term lease (say 10 years with a 10-year renewal option) and the lease payments were at saround 90% of current year potential NOI, AND there is no deferred maintenance or capital expenditures to be done then this could be an attractive deal for both sides.

I need some help evaluating how my current primary residence would fare as a rental property - demand in my location, what type of renters I could attract, what type of rent could command.

All of them awful, exhausting and expensive.Reason 2  - they attract shade while they are smoking outside.  

Most designs before 1970's don't have enough seismic load factor, so they are weaker than today's standard. 

Is there possibly some reason your units attract this sort of renter?

I've been doing this on Craigslist but have been told by those that I respect that I may not be attracting or receiving the best of candidates for my homes.I don't know.

If you have any questions regarding the design/construction of your house feel free to reach out.