While I acknowledge that economic strength is just one facet of a good rental market, it is a major factor and I wanted to share what I've found (the details of my methodology and raw data can be found after the various rankings):Top 10 best economiesProvo-Orem, UTSalt Lake City, UTCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SCChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WIDallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TXKansas City, MO-KSLongview, TXLouisville/Jefferson County, KY-INSan Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CABirmingham-Hoover, ALThere were two main factors to overall economic strength that I looked at – how diverse/broad the economy is and how many economic drivers (i.e. strength) the area has.

There is a new factory being built that is expected to fuel economic growth in the Aliquippa/Beaver County area.

@Horacio Gutierrez you can go to NETROnline.com, click on your state, click on your county, and click on the link for your tax assessor, revenue commission, or whatever your local government calls their property tax department.

FHA require 3.5% Downpayment and Freddie Mac HomePossible allows 5% Downpayment as long as your income (including the net rental) is below your county median.

•Who is responsible for fees on Permits “not” in code with the county, the buyer or seller?

I'm as an investor and an agent in Whatcom county I can tell you that there is opportunity everywhere! 

For example the county says it's a 2 bed 2 bath but the listing says it's a 3 bed 2 bath--- the current owners enclosed a porch to make a bedroom.

Pull delinquent tax lists from your county and either find their numbers and call them, or knock on their doors.

That is something much more common in illiquid markets.Median home price in Anne Arundel County, where Annapolis is located is $345k.

I can see in county records that the last owner got a warranty deed in March of 2017, and then it went back to US Bank with a mortgagee's deed in November 2018.