I.e. look at the neighborhood, school districts, up and coming, crime rates.. 

Without knowing the specifics, my only question would be, are you in Oak Hills School District? 

This is somewhat speculative, but League City is the "nicer" market in the immediate area (newer homes, great school districts, etc.). 

My contractor asked me to go to the unified school district and pay whatever they ask for.  

We just sold a 5 unit that will be used as an airbnb in the near east district of columbus 

:)  (Both in Walton High district) My thoughts have just started to turn to the investor mindset over the past 5 years now....and I am hooked! 

Experienced real estate agents and investors in an area know of the things that can impact the usability of a comp that less experienced people will often miss - (e.g. if there is a "historic" district within a 1 mile radius which would make using a comp from that area less useful even though it is within a mile) Having someone who does not have a financial interest in whether or not a deal gets funded review the property is a way to help pull emotion out of a deal.Also, we don't send evaluators out to review a deal (thus having the borrower incur an evaluation fee) without reviewing the deal with them before.

City workers have to live within city limits so you'll always have great potential tenants in fireman, police officers, teachers and park district employees. 

One caveat my child was accepted into a special program at a school in Olympia and I am trying to keep the property in the district.

It was in a nice safe neighborhood, great school district for my kids, and close to major roads.