People will live in a condo when they get priced out of houses, or there is something special about the location of the condo.So in general I think condos are better purchases in populated areas, like @Ray Johnson mentioned. 

Frank,$24 psf gross sounds rich for an independent dollar store, but will depend in part on the population density plus other factors previously mentioned. 

I highly doubt you'll be able to generate that many wholesale leads in Williamsport, there isn't enough population.  

I wanted markets with the highest population growth, highest job growth, highest rent growth, lowest unemployment, etc.

I live in Sitka, Alaska 8900 population.

We advertise on Zillow, which also populates Trulia and Hotpads - for free.I recommend you host your own showings for first hand experience.

That way you end up with a piece of something rather than either nothing or all of a dog you cant control.I do like the idea of a 4 plex in that area, I am a MSU Law grad, but declining population and deferred and poorly understood maintenance issues is a recipe for disaster if not properly analyzed. 

The population growth in Memphis has been pretty stagnant over that 6-7 years.

Do you compare these metrics across each market or against certain criteria you want them to meet (ex. looking for markets with ____% population growth)?

I have seen the best time (as I mentioned before during 2007 to 2011) but it could still be a good time to invest considering the upward rent movement, steady appreciation and large pool of renter population with limited supply.