Dan Just off the cuff I would suggest you look into master leasing and master leasing with an option to buy as a place to start.

Ask if they know anything coming up for sale.You can also search narpm.org for the RMP (Residential Management Professional) and MPM (Master Property Manager) certified.You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.

I also have reached out to the city planning commission to get more details on the master plan to see what they are planning for in the long run, I also like to get demographics information for a specific zip codes - you can go to zipskinny.com and compare different zip codes to get an idea.

Lots of things won't rear their ugly heads until you get just the right rainfall with the dishwasher running and the master bath toilet flushing at the same time.

May be a lease-option or master lease deal.Many times that owner will finally gain some normalcy and decide to do something, could be 6 months, could be years. 

I'm very surprised I joined BP after all the Detroit bashing Josh and Brandon do on the podcasts.I went to Michigan State for my bachelor's in electrical engineering and Oakland University for a master in engineering management. 

I also decided to redo the floor in the master bath, which had the same ugly floor (but no damage).

A sandwich lease or master lease allows you to sub-let.

They've added a mud room and master bath, and various other improvements, probably have $50-100k into it. 

Also they have a large townhome/ master planned community at Taylor Yard on San Fernando coming up.