Yet, I barely survive thanks only to the pandemic era low interest rates and tax abatement.

But even those areas still suffer from the crushing property tax rate, and the other issues the city has.

I mostly want to understand how do I go about figuring out the demand / vacancy rates for MTR before investing in furniture etc on my property.

The combination of lower occupancy and continuously increasing regime fees (insurance was a big factor) forced them to sell. 

Home loan borrowing costs eased again for the third straight week as the average rate on a 30 year home loan declined to its lowest level since April. 

You could also do a simultaneous closing of a fixed first mortgage as a ‘cash out’ refinance and piggyback a new investment property heloc for future use..although the heloc rate will be stronger on the primary.

We have numerous products in New York for 30 year fixed rates on 5+ units, would love to get on a call to see how my team and I can assist you.

@J Case  those fees sound wrong. 

For example, the unemployment rate, relatively low, is 6.5% versus MA's 3.5%It's been a long time since I was more familiar with Springfield, so I'm not sure about the impact of the casino.In general, similar to other working class cities like Fitchburg, in Springfield I'd imagine you'd fine the following conditions:- Attractive Cap rates- Medium vacancy- You're paying a realtor or property management company to find tenants (in higher end cities the tenants pay the realtor fee)- Section 8 tenants -- could be a negative or positive, depending on your view.

Rates are a bit high at the moment but try to get something without a prepayment penalty and then refinance in a couple years when hopefully rates are lower.