In the tenant screening industry smartmove is a power house because it owns the credit report market.

Are private money lenders not in a position of power relative to the rehabber or something?

Of course there are the obvious considerations, i.e. buying right, cost control, unexpected setbacks, etc.

Appreciation1.Stable-or-better outlook for the economy (this one is complicated)2.Low $/sqr ft (<$50 is ideal)3.Low cost of living in the city4.Larger lot in a neighborhood with larger lots5.Diversified economy6.Non-Extreme climate7.Property doesn’t have any significant negatives (high road noise, power lines, hills, odor, etc.)8.Housing market trends must make sense9.Decent or better city to live in.10.A decent sized city or larger (maybe one of the biggest 75 MSA in the US.

I've been a bit worried about their growing economic power for years.

The power of going slow is something to think about.

Damn contractors.The only unexpected problem we had was a roofing issue.

They are doing this using powers granted the FED during the Depression in the 1930s.Why didn't they do it last week before the pork filled bailout was crammed down our throats?

My unique encouragement would be  to not ignore the multi-generational power of real estate investing.  

If they both don’t have legal power of attorneys and their health deteriorates the management of the property could be in limbo.