Is it common to ask for the rental history of the property to see how full/vacant it has been for the current owner and how do I go about doing that?

Low job growth, high public assistance, schools that are in dire straits all lead to higher taxes.Gino  

Very safe there, great schools.

Schools in the area are not very good.

My day job is teaching high school.

An "A" would generally be new construction, with newer amenities and finishes (security, granite, well lit, open floor concept, etc.)Likewise, an "A" neighborhood would tend to be an area with newer properties, a top-rated school district, high-wage earners, etc.

I have a perfect credit history (I kept my US credit cards for 10 years even while living abroad :)), I will also be using my wife's rental income (she is a green card holder with an almost non-existing credit).I am looking to buy this house and sell after I have lived in it for 2 years for tax reasons.Thank you for any tips!

The area has a full spectrum of neighborhoods, from super posh urban with great schools, to po dunk ghetto.

You should look for an area near jobs with a good school system.

Im still in school finishing my degree while I do that im just goin to keep learning new information about real estate.