That will generally dictate area, property size, tenant quality type (national,regional,local,etc.).ICSC has some great books on retail.Hope it helps.

What is your preferred method for taking control of a property with a first position lien?...

The biggest issue is like what @Hadar Orkibi stated above with smaller deals- quality property management.

Properties are very expensive in the larger cities - so much so that I really struggled finding a quality investment.

You're mixing different methods of valuation.

I don't think that a non smoker would be happy living between them, and if they didn't care - I would question the quality of the tenant.

My primary hope is to find an area that attracts quality renters (pay on time, lower crime area, etc) and cash flows.

Can it be done without their service, is it an efficient and effective method to collect data "real time" in one place with enough value to warrant the monthly fee?

LOLAgree re: "hotel syndrome" and guests falsely conflating stars as indicators of quality/luxury vs. experience/expectation.  

Have you looked at where you are going to live with your family, and how much is the rent at those places vs the mortgage you are paying now, does the quality of life affect your family in a way that creates any strain?