"Business Week" publishes annual rankings for these schools.

Houma is #104 on the Forbes list for "Best Small Places for Business and Careers" and #23 for "Job Growth" It is close enough to New Orleans that I can still benefit from that area as well ranked #29 on the Forbes list for "Best places for Business and Careers" and was Forbes's 2012 fastest growing city.Not the best numbers but good enough that thinking about getting into real estate investing in the area just made sense.

Plenty of older homes in the neighborhood still have window AC and gas wall heater combo, but in a remodeled house it wouldn't be acceptable, based on the recent rehabs i've seen.

Your best deals will not be at Lowe's or HD, but your neighborhood flooring store.

Welcome to the site Ryan Ebanks.It's great to have another active investor join our ranks.

That is my sole advertising method and the best part is that whoever drives by and calls is not going to waste your time vetting the neighborhood because they already know where it is.

There is a brick two story duplex being rehabbed down the street from me.
As a newbie, I want to stop in and pick their brains. oops, I mean stop in and say hi.
What might be a couple key questions to ask. After all...

On the world gini rankings, the US is middle of the pack.

This is a lower middle class but mostly tidy neighborhood, late 80's construction.I'm aiming for modern but inexpensive finishings as we are on a fairly tight budget (most of it is going to AC/roof etc).

You need to ask, What needs to be renovated, how is the economy/job growth in the market, what is the neighborhood like, is a chance to get $7,200 per year worth $40,000, Will you be able to qualify for a refinance before his terms are up?