This will work in any area of the country.1.Government Resources-Federal sites, Bureau of Labor statistics might give me a good overview. www.BLS.gov I can go to the state BLS page and gather info.

I also thought about whether we should have an independent electrician take a look at the damaged items before we filed the claim to Erie Home Insurance.

We've elected to master key each of our properties independently.

People are making money in Detroit, as stated, so it just depends on your knowledge of area and risk tolerance.If you want to make generalizations, please provide real statistics, not just "it sucks" I'm more than happy to educate.

Look at crime statistics but also have them visit the community at different times morning evening etc and talk to neighbors and business owners in the area.

This is simply based on statistical analysis that shows clearly that buyers with no investment in the property are much more likely to walk away.The bank will also compute the debt coverage ratio based on both payments (1st and 2nd mortgages), and want to see this no higher than 1.25 or so, so that it a tough hurdle as well to make a property cash flow adequately with two mortgages.

I've owned and rehabbed houses before but they where either projects assisting family members or they where organic efforts of my own with no clear focus.I have worked in the corporate world for 15 years owning and operating a business along the way.I have a successful career in the Telecommunications industry but I'm starting to dream the dreams of financial independence through real estate investment.The wealth of knowledge found here is FANTASTIC and really appreciated!

You can pay an independent assessor, probably the most important.

Someone I can grow with and learn how to be financially independent.

Basically, you'll hire them to raise money for you as an independent contractor and will usually take between 2-5% raised.