You can type in any city or even zipcode and it gives you all kinds of great info, household income, population, housing vacancy, housing stock age, mix of multifamily vs single family ect :https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtmlHUD produces occasional annual reports for most metros:https://www.huduser.gov/portal/ushmc/chma_archive.htmlThe Local County Website or city Municipal websites often have great research as well.Development is important in a growing metro because it shows you where people and business are moving.

To best identify true value, I would look on the MLS or utilize an agent to pull comps for current condition and ARV comps. 

I'm a big believer in direct bookings but you'll need to utilize the existing marketplaces first to gain traction then invest in your own site.

It is better to price out the things you will know in advance like insurance, property taxes, management, utilities etc. and use a much smaller percentage for unpredictable things like repairs.

You dont wanna be in a situation wih owning a rental producing $200/mnth in cashflow but eabsolutely no money in the bank for anything else if something comes up.

Purchase price: $197,500FHA 3.5% down: $7,000Mortgage, taxes, Insurance: $1,5352 Bedroom rent: $1,1001 Bedroom which I'll live in for a year but could rent for $850Barber shop in building: $650The only thing I pay for is heating which was $2,000 total for last year the rest of utilities or paid by tenants.My question here is with me owner occupying I will clear $215 but once I move out I will clear $1,065.

Utilities ?

Some of the criteria I use:-Rent is not current-Most items of value have been removed -utilities are off-Neighbors have not seen them or saw them moving outAbsolutely no need to go thru the eviction process if your criteria is met. 

My rent, utilities, and WiFi are a combined $1100.

I currently have an IRA with $80,000 that I would like to utilize for my first investment.