You want to network with others who invest in similar communities.The math skills will come in handy.

Others are more skilled at certain types of transactions and can mange the risk.

What is the best way to find rental and vacancy rates for an area?

The other rentals in the area are at that level.

Certain things are just hard to see until you are in the market.I take it you are looking to buy and then hold as a rental to university students.Do you have skills when it comes to rehab work or other things that can be applied to a home you might buy?

Anthony de MelloAt some level you are already see things differently as you see streams of income when most people do not even notice.

The law has the effect of raising the HOA dues when the projects are first sold as the developer can not set a low level and ignore future work.See if there are any state regulations that define what an HOA needs to do.

Hard to say given the info posted so far.At some level forget what agents tell you good or bad unless they are working your market.

Right now your average mid level family house sells between $230,00 up to $270,000 depending on the area.Second, I think many homeowners refinanced with an adjustable rate and now they are paying for it.

I think you need to time the drive and check again.Kelso & Longview WA do not have rent levels the same as metro Portland.