If the home is a double wide OR a number of pop-outs, add-ons, or sun rooms then the price will go up rapidly.

Grand Rapids in particular. 

Lake City is quite a small town (i.e 10K people) but I must say it is growing quite rapidly.

I'm Jaden Ghylin, my background is in Electrical Engineering and I am currently living in Cedar Rapids, IA, but will be investing in the Minneapolis area in the next few months.

couped with rapidly rising rents in Seattle were seeing a shift to areas like Pierce/Snohomish County where rent is more affordable - and not nearly as much development.

If it sounds to good to be true it probably is.I suppose you can speculate about the US or you could look at the trends that say Toronto and other metropolitan areas in Canada are growing at a rapid rate and affordability is driving people out further every day into the outlying areas and you should be looking closely at how you as an investor can benefit from this.If you are worried about property management...don't.

Some great emerging markets in you areas equity is rapid and huge.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Locate and attend 3 different local REIA club meetings great place to meet people gather resources and info.Two Great reads, I bought both J.

Rapidly escalating rents and prices though here in the Bay, and can control/oversee what goes on, so that means a lot to me..

We have been looking at foreclosures in Milwaukee and Grand Rapids.

Although I am new, I aim to grow and progress as rapidly as I am capable of, and with the support and knowledge of this community and other resources I know that I will be well-informed on how to reach my goals.