It's absolutely worth taking a deeper dive.I've been investing in Detroit proper since 2019 and have 12-doors there.

If you are just getting started, good insurance may be the better play.Assuming you have a large portfolio, you know how to manage an LLC properly, are willing to take on the added paperwork and expense, and are not piercing the corporate veil by having mortgages in your name, here are my reactions to your proposals. 

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

They failed to do it properly and caused the damage.

Bear in mind, you will have to tweak these numbers based on what you think are proper estimates.

But without the proper education it's pretty much a waste of time. 

We are Canadians and we invest in Detroit  with proper caution it is a great investment location and we are more the willing to share what we do with anyone who wants to chat

Go to real estate investor meetups and spend time talking with other investors than salivating at scaling without the proper foundation.

Husband and I are researching which strategy would be best for us to get into our first investment property--whether that be renting our current SFH and moving to a new primary family home, or purchasing another proper to rent or flip. 

Hell when you pull back the curtain most people would be shocked to realize that all those prim and proper super nice 50 year old lady Realtors that seem so nice; those ladies are some of the most cut throat sharks in the game.