In addition to what you mentioned, I look at: crime rates and in what areas crime is most concentrated, % of renters vs. owners, age demographics, employment diversification, median income levels, home values rates looking for appreciation, economic activity such as development projects both commercially and residentially, rental rates, vacancy rates, landlord/tenant laws, etc.  

If you get one home a year you will well pass your prime income producing age where you have no day time job getting another mortgage. 

Opoulos or yours truly was born in West Jordan but moved to Sanpete county Ut at the tender age of three.

Given the age of home, etc, I would agree on the prior comment on cap ex.

I aspire to help my age group(21-30) build generational wealth through real estate investing while being able to invest myself.

I have a strict pet policy -- a well-trained dog, over 1 year (no puppies for sure), breed restrictions per my insurance, vet records showing age, breed, current vaccinations, required city license, and pet interview with landlord (me) or K9 good citizen certificate. 

Wish I would have started at your age.

Ultimate goal: I want to have a net worth of 2.5 mill (today's dollars) at age 45 (3.7 mill in thirteen years).

I’m in the habit of checking rent info on Zillow, loopnet, Craigslist, Or rentometer and making educated trend assumptions based on GSF, property class type, age of building, etc. it really is a “scotch tape” excel spreadsheet, and I’d love to have a more intelligent method at analyzing rent rates2.) as far as avoiding election goes, do you think most of this process can be avoided or mitigated through having a strong tenant lease?

@Kara Courtney this is an age old debate here on BP.