I'd have to take into consideration all the usual expenses such as taxes, repairs, interest on note, cash down, vacancies, etc. so I get that, and I also have found resources that can help you understand what comparable rents may be going for in the area, but beyond that, I'm not sure how to value if it's a good purchase to rent or not.These are obviously newbie questions so if there's a link to point me to, that would be awesome.

This is not taking into consideration the closing costs of the purchases.That's a $120K investment.

The only thing to worry about would be if there's enough of a draw outside of the high school to provide the customers.

I will also research and take into consideration the area’s present and future employment opportunities, demographics, and historical rental market rates (increasing vs. decreasing).

If your Mom, per your post, is already drawing down on credit cards and that is dropping her credit and you know a relative score differential, then I am also inclined to think she is out hunting for New Credit.  

After all things taken into consideration (taxes, expenses, vacancies) what do you guys consider a good deal?

One of the considerations for renting may be the learning experience.

Thank god his wife was a doctor, and his profits were not needed for living expenses.I have known quite a few really rich people and when they went into an investment they were in the we are going to make a nice profit mode, their mind set question was how much, losing was not even a consideration when they placed their bet.

Watch movie "The Secret" watch for Esther Hicks, Will Smith, Oprah and Rhonda Brine author of the Secret, her follow up book "The Power" is considerably better.

After you buy your property how long do you have to wait to draw equity out of home to buy more property