Private devleopment funds investing $100's of millions, local government incentives and tax abatements, new streetcar program just received a $25 million Fed grant and is close to fully funded (and will run directly through OTR connecting UC and downtown), new urban casino development nearby, and with CBD and UC close - it is wedged between the largest employers in the city.I know Cincinnati has a "rust belt" feel to it, and indeed the population has decreased over the past 30 years but has stabilized (will be interested to see 2010 census on the area).

The following are excerpts from an article on Reuters.com:"Rumors are running wild from Washington to Wall Street that the Obama administration is about to order government-controlled lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive a portion of the mortgage debt of millions of Americans who owe more than what their homes are worth...

Swallow and pay every dime they earn to live a restricted (since '06: never go out, no travel, no vacations, no gift giving at holidays, drive old cars, buy used clothes, etc.) life for the next ten or fifteen years, fearing job loss or pay cut daily, only to find out at retirement that I have to walk away from it then, can't sell it, perhaps have to file bankruptcy, then, and live in government housing for my retirement...?

There are many government loans and grants available in the housing arena for non-profits and they are given preference over for profit entities.

So many corporate accounts want to create a visual presence on the mobile web, you have an endless market from hotels and restaurants, to education and government accounts, to fashion, arts and design.

Money does not grow on trees so that it can be wasted by the government.

The house looks awesome and should yield you a good market tenant or if you want some drama in your life, a decent government funded tenant.

Bottom line is the state and federal government are looking to make sure that someone is paying the tax.

I would have to say stay away from really rough neighborhoods, but if you insist on making money there and many people do, then I suggest you try to get government tenants at top dollar rental rates and screen heavily.

One major, troublesome aspect with government work is measuring it *output*.As Rich above stated, we could pay 2,200 people $50K each to pick up trash but are cleaner parks and streets *worth* $50K per year ... assuming one trash collector per community.