Basically, you have to be buying in an area that is NOT predominately rentals if you want your property to appreciate.If you want appreciation, get yourself a professional, local team.  

In addition to my personal real estate investment activities,  I currently work part time with a 501(c)(3) non profit dedicated to helping inner city youth.

It is a good way to grow your team and your knowledge at the same time.  

Refine your goal and determine who you want on your team.  

As a team we're excited to meet fellow investors. 

My team leader is training me to find investment opportunities for a few foreign investors who she has found many profitable deals for in the past.  

I think i'v read every book on the planet related to this field in the last three months and now i'm building my team and putting the foundation in place for the long term. 

This is a great opportunity to build your team and get a good investor-friendly agent in your court.Good luck.

Build a solid relationship with them and you will have the start of a good team.

Back when I was doing rentals I used Donny Gothard and his team at Gateway.