Scranton does have what look to be some nice cash-flowing buildings, especially around its few universities, but they are usually not in good shape and I really don't want to be a slumlord (and I am NOT at the rehab/fix-it stage of investing yet).

I recommend going to their city website and looking at job/population growth trends.

What's more important to me than the crime rate of the city overall is the bigger picture of the economic and demographic trends.

If you are financing in one shape or another, a pre-approval letter from from your lender is your Proof of Funds

My single complaint was "Well houses in bad shape are better for wholesalers than agents because they can move them faster" Which is false across the board. 

Another win for this project was discovering original clapboard in great shape under the asphalt siding.

Looks like a lot of things are happening and the city is trending in the right direction.But it’s still Oklahoma, I know nothing about it have never been before.

Along the lines of some other advice, a less drastic route would be to have the seller would agree to delay the COE so you (and them) can get a better idea of how things shape up over the next several weeks, including April's rent.

I've been stalking the forums, podcasts, books, webinars, etc. for months now, and I've been eager to find the optimal market to get started in.My research has led me to Champaign, Illinois because of good trends in income, job, and population growth, strong price-to-rent ratios, declining crime metrics, and homes that are in my price range. 

Doors: If the wood is not rotten or in really terrible shape, most of the time they just need a coat of pain and new door knobs.