An average purchase in any of those 3 cities from 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years ago would produce better ROI than an average purchase in the great initial cash flow markets.As indicated I have multiple 2% ratio properties (that would have outstanding cash flow if they had not had cash extracted, so they have OK cash flow), but what about the appreciation? 

You have a right to ask for evidence and it needs to be more than an online certificate.

Jumping right into fixing and flipping can be exhaustive and expensive without having experience.

OK lets all for once and for all stop this really bizarre notion that some weird shape or color is better than an other.. and I can prove it to you gaahhdamnit.If some pink post card with  content "A" really was better, it should ALWAYS and for ever show this when you test it.

If a property needs to be leased every 5 years, then rather than an $94 accrual each month meaning taking a monthly charge every year, it should be $19 each month or a monthly charge every 5 years.  

I've always heard thata house with furniture in it sells better than an empty one becausein an empty house flaws are more noticeable.Maybe the experts can comment on that too!

Hurts my feelings a little that you think I'm anything other than an inner city NJ girl.

. -- those guys are going to do a more thorough analysis of the house than an inspector will and will also be a whole lot more knowledgeable.

He called me all exhausted and said he would sell for $145K.

Personally I wouldn't pull a HELOC on a property I lived in or was planning to live in, but that's more of a personal preference than an investment strategy.