For those of you who have a handful of properties under your belt, are there any key indicators you look for when investing in a certain area, such as median income and unemployment levels, etc?

My income level presently is 85 K I am looking for a creative financing strategy to allow the purchase of the house we wish to downsize to while prepping our current house to sell. 

Which brands and styles that I use depend on the level of rental property that you are placing them in.

Due to the HGTV Effect, demand for fixer uppers is higher than ever in my market, and owner occupants are vastly overpaying for them.

We've never sold them for that reason.Another thing most people don't realize, is that owners are typically no where near being ready to sell, especially with any level of distress in the price, that early in the process.

Older people use the term "baller level"???

It's worth going if you've never been to one before, but like I said, leave the credit cards at home.Enjoy the pumped up, enthusiastic atmosphere they'll provide, but instead of signing up for a coaching program try a different mission: Collect business cards or contact information for at least 5 people close to you (where it would be convenient for both of you to get together every 2-4 weeks), who are either at your level or one notch above.Then after the event, make it your mission to have coffee/tea/whatever with each of those people, either individually or as a group.

@Andrew Taylor Multi-level has its advantages but also disadvantages.

The numbers I gave you are extremely high level and that's gross income keep in mind. 

If it rises to the level of a trade or business it does.