Some of the basics include:Major developmentsBig Box stores, major shoppingHospitalsEducation FacilitiesCompsCrime (Mainly shootings)MHHICheck out @Omar Khan BP Blog on using Google Maps to underwritehttps://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10776/79833-underwriting-the-google-way-building-maps-not-numbers

I drive by the house multiple times most days and he is there about 33% of  the time, every time he needs supplies he will run to the store with no forethought of what he may need after he finishes that task.

If a homeowner sees ants in their house, they might go to the grocery store and buy some bug spray. 

A store came up for rent in the neighborhood with a number to call.

This serves two purposes: It provides your investor buyers an option to keep existing tenancies active or start fresh if they decide to act on the notice .

They won’t be expecting the same money as their neighbors with the shiny new kitchen and fresh paint. 

As for the rentals, I am learning to look for:- are there similar properties available for rent- have any of their rent recently reduced- overall neighborhood classification- access to stores, major highways etc- schools already in session so may not be lucrative- cash flow and IRR ( I am still figuring out IRR)Kudos for trying to help out friends.

Im also a ware that im not getting out of it over nigh, but would like to know what some peoples stores are.

As you get more experience, start studying material costs at your local home improvement stores (whether mom-and pop or "big box"  stores),and work with more contractors, you can change out J's numbers with your own.

The people I have taken in who cannot buy or rent are not on drugs, they are handy tradesmen who go to work every day, one is  a store manager, one is a tile setter, one is an electrician, etc.