Our economy certainly isn't  in "go-go" mode as you put, but w/ stable 1-2% GDP growth our economy is certainly "the dog with the least fleas" vs other global economies. 

If possible, get a part-time or full-time job, if you can do it and carry 12 sem hour load, in order to get stable income to qualify for a mortgage.

I like the stable income that buy and hold real estate can provide.

Is the toilet properly installed and stable?

For some, they may just stick to one area and stay anchored/immobility is not an issue as the area is stable or booming and have very diversified base of employers and industries, great schooling.

How do their prices and quality compare to homedepot off the shelf?

whoa that's one heck of a top shelf rehab for 44k.. no major systems were replaced ?

I don't have any solid advice but reading books has done a lot for me as far as narrowing down the key factors of an emerging, stagnant, or stable market.

Boston has always been a great, stable investment market and I have no doubt that trend will continue. 

Another words you are looking for tenants with risk factors that will actually pay you and are maybe stable or on the way up.