Research the Bureau of Labor and Statistics for specific job industries and how the area and its industries are currently doing.If you do buy an Income Property be sure to start with a reasonable Capital Improvement account for emergencies.

Other than that I have no background in real estate, but would like to get started in the industry.

I think the REI meetings and interaction for a lot of people is important.For that reason I am a believer that in this industry if your new getting a RE license can be good thing.. you actually learn about real estate and laws.

I meant the same as you....we are teaching our PM's the industry.  

For years the insurance industry have used firefighters to "bird-dog" properties that are damaged by fire.

Quality of market-population trends, industry, growth, where the market is in the growth cycle, neighborhoods, price-to-rent ratios...

I am in the note industry and looking to do more with the physical properties as well.

Here's what I like:Geographic - eliminate all areas that you do NOT want by city or zip or other methodLand - eliminate all vacant parcels Property type - eliminate commercial, industrial, office and similar propertiesProduct - eliminate over 4 bedroom, before 1950 or after 2009Equity - eliminate all with less than 50% LTV Your criteria will most likely be very different so no arguments about what I want vs what you want.Now that you've determined what you want, and have a manageable list, create a mailing campaign.

If you're interested in managing condominium or homeowner's associations the Community Associations Institute is one that I see frequently.I can't say that I've read many books on the industry aside from course texts.  

But these past 5 years have proven to me that I cannot rely on my  industry (advertising) for financial security.