If I invest in rehabbing these older houses, should I expect the house to last another 100 years with the proper maintenance, or should I consider a house's life expectancy to always be on a downward trend because maintaining it is no longer cost-effective?

I am a Mortgage banker ( inactive) but I try to keep up on trends.

A good agent is what you'll need to follow the trends and especially to get your property sold.

Maybe start investing "passively" through S&P500 funds that will mimic the stock market trends so you can grow your savings (this would be more of a long term play and just make sure the fund has low expense ratio.)   

The trend is to open retail and offices where there is lots of traffic like malls. 

You need to look at violent versus non-violent crimes and if trending upward.You can have the best property in a marginal area and have constant problems.It's better if you reverse it and buy in a B area close to you with C- tenants.

I see a trend forming here guys...lol @Sean Cole @Quoc TranI just noticed this post is now in the trending discussions.

We had a very productive meeting on Friday and have decided to move fast on this project:Some highlights of the discussion at this meeting which was also attended by our contractor Frank and Jeaun Walters who will be helping us with the funding.We will not be splitting the lot and the project will be the entire 5 acres of land.We will hire an architect to redo the layout and make it a true 4 bedroom house.We will also redesign the front of the house.We will also hire a lawyer to speak directly with the bank's lawyer to get the negotiations moving fast.The cost of this project will be about $600,000We will need to raise 15% or about $90,000, rest will be financed.We will get a rendering done of the finished house and put a giant board outside the property and start marketing the property as soon as we acquire the title.The construction will take about 120 days.The final product will have a "farm look" which is the latest trend in Central Ohio.We will need to replace the old siding.Build porches to enter the building.Construct an entrance feature off the main road.Install a 1,000 Ft driveway.The minimum sale price is expected to be $829,500 and the highest could be $1,009,000.

I think that trends among millennials (who make up most first time buyers, which is a massive chunk of my market) are significantly more interested in an urban lifestyle.

I am seeking informaiton on trends for SFR and Multi-Family to see what is favored in ENC.