http://www.proapod.com/LearningCenter.htmFormulasBreak-Even Ratio (BER) The ratio often used by lenders when trying to decide whether or not to underwrite an investment property loan...Capitalization Rate The popular return used by analysts to measure an asset's financial performance and make similar-type property value comparisons...

As such, analyze probabilities and discount your numbers to compare apples to apples :) 

If you time frame is 10 years, it is a lot easier to come out ahead.One option is to look at markets that are relatively local - Baltimore and Richmond tend to be more popular for cash flow.  

Also, look into learning how to analyze deals.

And yes, walking and particularly biking are immensely popular in that area.

The only way Id ever go as high as even 80% as if it failed it would still cash flow with debt to it as a rental.The 70% rule is a very good way to analyze any flip deal because its based on percentages. 

This is very popular in CA because it allows the HO to accommodate elderly parents, grown children, even roommates.

They're awesome in helping you analyze deals.See you around!

Craigslist ads are free (although I question the quality of those leads.)New investors have everything working against them:  You don't have the volume of leads, you are being ultra-conservative, you aren't analyzing correctly, you are negotiating correctly, etc.  

At the moment both of those areas seem to be more popular.