Eventually, I stuffed some steel wool into the crack and I'll go back there in a week or so with a bag of concrete and a tub to make a full-on tenant-satisfaction pantomime out of filling that crack and protecting her against the terrifying concrete-tunneling squirrels.

Jobs, wine vineyards, local beers, diverse foods, sports. 

Shhhhhhhhh A little secrete from an old timer.........From a bag of water conditioner salt rock place some on top of the soil or within a trench and back fill with earth or pack salt rock granules into 1/2 inch round holes drilled 6" apart through concrete 4" away from foundation footings along area of noted termites entering structure, plug drilled holes afterwords.

This can make it a good market for investors looking to buy rental properties.Access to amenities: Columbus is a mid-sized city with a range of amenities, including cultural attractions, sports teams, and a number of universities.

Because truly the deposit is the renter's money unless they damage the property and the law requires the landlord to report the damages (so you know the landlord isn't a sleaze bag).

the trick is to have a house near a popular bar or sports arena / field if you want to cater to a younger crowd

Just be careful you don't put yourself in a position where these d bags can accuse you of slandering them or their companies, Josh.

Just the place to let scum bag realtors and predatory lenders add another brokers fee on to your loan.

The sports and cheap beer help but above all, people have to want to pay to eat your food.

Since REI is a team sport, you need to attend as many different meetings as you can so you can start finding the service providers you need to be successful (in addition to learning more before you start spending real money, as other posters have suggested).