Or are investors settling for a "nicer" location with decent rents and quality tenants rather than a purely cash-flow vantage point.Even if the Holyoke market is seeing rents in the $1200-1300/month range; is this a worthwhile justification to paying a premium on these smaller multi-families?

Piggybacking on your topic, curious on opinions on if it is worthwhile to purchase extended warranties for appliances in your units?

. $50/month is the difference of another 3-4% annual ROI, so it might become enough in this case to make it more worthwhile if I can get the loan down (especially since my waterfall calculations are at worst way too conservative, so things are possibly better than I project but unlikely to be worse). 

I learned from BiggerPockets which rehab items were worthwhile and the expected costs. 

How much do I need to profit on top of mortgage and all bills to make it worthwhile.2.What do you require tenants to be responsible.I am in the northeast and its cold do you require them to pay for heat, hot water, electricity, water, sewer etc.

You would have to get a return of at least 9% in real estate to make it worthwhile. 

I would counter the sellers at a price where it’s interesting to you, and walk if can’t get it at a price that makes it worthwhile. 

Haven't seen many worthwhile deals in a while.  

Some places I think you have to be an attorney....and/or the limits and regulations just don't make it worthwhile. 

If the person is inclined to help then great , that Is a worthwhIle cause but don’t mix business with it .