However, this area is rapidly building up and offers strong economic growth, so it's conceivable that we can exit with worthwhile profit.A friend has suggested we contact a few local commercial real estate brokers to get some estimates.

How is the rental market there, job growth etc.

We like to offer wide access to our units, to help drive interest and to prevent discrimination claims.We use a scoring system to objectively rate the applications and choose the best fit for us.Some things to consider: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/4445/44420-ten...

They are local to the area (the first family is moving back to the area to be near family but say they are going to continue to commute to their current jobs which are at least a hours drive from here). 

I was driving into town this weekend to look at a property for sale and I saw another house with an over grown yard, and a paper taped to the door.

Every day I am driving all over CT because sellers actually get pissed at me for not getting back to them.

If not, if by percentage, you can have a paranoid tenant watching everything you do and drive you crazy.

Drive around neighborhoods looking for tired homes and then look up the owner (county websites usually have this info) to see if s/he is a landlord.  

Not sure how far south you’re looking, but South LA is seeing growth.

Areas to avoid, pockets of growth or if anyone knows these areas?