Sant SobhrajIt really depends where in Newark you are buying as that is unique market in its own right.Just a couple points of concern:Expenses are only 25% of gross income.

I am seeing some "Housing wanted" needs on Craigslist about short (1,2,3) month needs, and wondering if there is a niche there that tenants would be willing to pay a premium for.

., to get a DECENT feel for what a deal looks like, what one can sell for, and when to pass...Obviously all homes are unique, some require more repairs than others, I understand that much.

The only way to be successful in note brokering is to flood the local market with advertising, or launch a unique and difficult direct marketing campaign.

Notes are a unique business, while backed by real estate, they are not real-estate.  

So, again, the idea that mortgage investing is going away or somehow someone missed the 'boat', seems a bit counterintuitive to the hundreds of years the concept has been around.Having a local niche will be the best thing you can do as a 'street level' investor.

Perhaps you've found a better niche than I have?

When it comes to crime statistics and area ratings, My #1 go-to is https://www.niche.com/places-t...I really like Niche because it not only gives a general area rating, but school ratings, crime, housing, diversity, and nightlight.

--because it requires actually going out and viewing a lot of different properties in-person, learning to spot opportunities that aren't apparent to other buyers, learning from GCs what is (and isn't) easily do-able, learning from PMs and agents about the local tenant pool and the unique dynamics of the neighborhood, etc., etc.Books, podcasts, youtube videos are incredibly valuable, but there are many aspects of real estate that are best learned through direct experience. 

Especially in my area, I don't see prices rising much more, except for in niche neighborhoods that are currently being heavily developed.