Exterior--roof, chimney (both as best you can from the ground--unless you have a drone), siding, windows, foundation, stairs, driveway etc.You will have a record for yourself, and can share with potential contractors for items that need attention. 

When the appraisal is done, it will also show fair market rents for the units, the lender will compare these to your lease amounts, but wont really do anything other than compare?

First step is look at comparable properties that are in prime condition and see what they sell for.

@Ken Yeung I would definetly look at what rental rates are for your home, make sure you compare apples to apples if it is a 3/1 or 3/2 etc. 

@Jeremy Zwicker: I like the Antigonish market as well , most are certainly cashflow plays as there is little to no appreciation there, however, if the property is well situated and you provide a nice living space, you will have very low vacancy due to the high demand for off campus student housing and rents are comparable to the HRM.

I have a work "home" in Seattle and spend most of the week in the Pacific Northwest but have traveled most of the US for work over the last 6-7 years or so.There are positives to each place so it is hard to compare. 

I know with this being your first rental, the idea of vacancy is scary, but please trust me; a month of vacancy while you wait for a great tenant is going to save you thousands of dollars, hundreds of hours and immeasurable amounts of stress compared to what will happen if you pull the trigger on a questionable tenant because you are eager.

This is going to be a huge lifestyle change so I want to build trustworthy relationships and hit the ground running when I arrive.Take care!

You need to build a team remotely(PM, boots on the ground, ... etc).

@Michael Le Don't think the market is big enough, less capital appreciation potential (compared to other options), renovated rent premium being lower than other markets.