Spend some quality time on the new bat site; listen to pod cast, read blogs and forums. 

In no particular order: per capita income, crime rate, vacancy rate, average rent, average home price, population growth/decline, school quality.

Buy quality locations over cheaper price and quantity. 

There seems to be a drought on quality properties worth my time or money.

@Stephen Menches I use clubflyers.com quality cards - great prices.

I would double check that they are doing quality work.

Choose a good high quality shingle but more importantly choose a good reputable roofer with a good workmanship warranty.

My goals are to learn more about fix & flip, buy and hold, and eventually earning enough passive income to "retire" and spend more quality time with my family and focus on my hobbies, which are woodworking and maybe even some furniture building...down the road.Love the website, great information and lots of nice people willing to share their knowledge and experiences.

For example, only recently there is some development in mandatory licenses for realtors, but the quality and chances on enforcement are questionable and it is to be feared that it will be far from corruption-proof. 

I haven't found a better price and the quality is excellent.I am another amazon addict.