But just so you know, I carefully considered Birmingham for one of our turn key markets and came to the easy conclusion that the economic and demographic fundamentals didn't support it.

For anyone brave enough to want to read the full set of proposed rules they're available here:Amendments to Regulation ABetter have some stimulants before you start ;-)

With prices as high as they are, and rents as low as they are, the rent-to-value ratios simply don't work to provide you an attractive rate of return.The solution in most cases is to purchase prudent investment properties in other markets where the economics, housing market, and numbers make more sense.Interestingly, many of the markets I focus on are around 1/5 to 1/10 the price of a typical property here in the OC, while the rents provide an R/V ratio over 1%.

Would you ask local law enforcement or property managers in regards of researching your market area for rent value, economics , job market etc?

I graduated last year from a top 15 American university with honors in Economics (B.A) and Chemistry (B.S.).

The Legends in real estate investing make money regardless of the economic condition and they don’t let hedge funds buying up houses at foreclosure auctions slow them down one bit.

Unfortunately, he put all his "eggs in one basket" before the economic downturn and banks will not lend to him based on very little income on his tax return.

Therefore, your investments are less affected by the economic us and downs.

Start with the city/metro and make sure the economics make sense, and the housing market is healthy.

Larger than economical wealth.