And if so, are there specific markets or areas that are likely to operate “in the black” (with good returns) on rental alone (including depreciation, etc), if the property is bought in cash?

Keep a denied applicant folder or file cabinet so If they try to say you didn’t rent to them because they were black, handicapped etc. you can cite the reason why which could be as simple as a low credit score. 

-Flooring - LVP (vinyl planking)-Appliances - Black (ideally) or white if need be-Paint - Basic gray or sandstone-Kitchen - Cabinet (white), countertops (vinyl)

Go to Vegas and bet on black... you can double your money with the spin of a wheel (course you could lose it too, so do your own risk analysis!)

It is interesting to note that it is the poor black neighborhoods that are assessed as much as 500% to high when more affluent areas with a higher percentage of whites have reasonable assessments.

My favorite is the Black Diamond meeting in Waltham (Alternates every other month with their other location in Worcester, this is a Waltham month).

If you are willing to go to a last minute event, Black Diamond is meeting Tuesday, June 21st in Worcester.

I don't like the odds myself.The black eye comes about by in dealing with consumers, tenants, especially a tenant who doesn't qualify to buy or obtain financing.  

I agree with the general sentiment of this post, but I think he's a bit black and white in analysis.  

Any rental property owner should always belong to their local property owners assn, if only for legislative updates and connections in the landlord community.The Worcester Black Diamond is more broad based, and has topics of interest to all kinds of real estate investors.