HI Ben and welcome to BP!

@Ben Elliott..It varies by County, but the Accessor's office should be able to give you the millage rate....

But I can't predict growth and I don't want to pay for it.Basically, I am perfectly willing to sacrifice 2) if 1) will double my investment in 5-7 years, and will do so with less uncertainty.This is essentially Ben Graham's value investment philosophy.

I would second comments of Ben, VISIT properties, winter season is best time in states where it is snow (East/Midwestern states), I'm finding poorly managed investors, poorly managed flips or owner occupants are desperate to sell at any reasonable price.  

thanks @Ben Andrews  glad it was helpful. 

-Ben

@Ben C."

@Ben Nahir,Search for “Party Wall” on the Internet for information of the wall between townhomes.If there is not a property owners association for the townhome building as a whole, I would not recommend investing in the townhome.

Thanks @Ben SkoveEverything around the house is either paved or cemented with an away slope. 7" of rain this month and another 1" today plus that tomorrow, I'm thinking it must be the water table.

Many investors look for $100 per door assuming 100% financing and the 50% rule to quickly screen properties.I believe the great @Ben Leybovich once said something along the lines of  "you  don't force a deal to meet the $100 per door rule by increasing your amount of cash in the deal.