Entire neighborhoods are being re-populated and investors are actively working to make some headway against the historical decline.If you have history in the area or you know people from around Buffalo, you should have a leg up as long as you're careful.

Dividend rates are at historic lows because interest rates in the bond markets were at historically low levels until last year.

That's $6K per year and remember that interest is amortized over the life of the loan, so the portion of the principal payoff slightly increases each month over time.2) Appreciation - I look at the historical appreciation rates for the market I am purchasing in and then use half of that number for an estimate.

If you just looked at historicals you'd say still seller's market for sure, as most places have maybe a month of inventory at historical rates, but I watch a few markets and I'm seeing houses sit for longer and/or have some price reductions. 

Cost estaminets or past historical deals. 

In this neighborhood, vinyl siding is considered "nice and new" as most are uninterested in architectural integrity or historical relevance.

Just some other examples:If you self manage, reverse phone number search... historic property tax bills... an asset search...

We are in Texas in a historic district.  

That's when I found out that the town this property was located in considered it to be of historic value and would only permit for a much more costly (but no more functional) windows, doors, and brick restoration.

Contact the utility company and ask them for historical averages.