Areas that rely heavily on coal or oil are hardest hit. 

To analyze for profit I rely on appreciation rates and rent growth against actual costs.

Also, if you can rely on accurate info on income from seller would you be able to rely on above mentioned items?

To be clear in the investment community counting on or relying on appreciation is considered speculation in the real world of investing.

We have relied on a small group of investors we have been flipping our houses to in the past couple of years.

@Agi AndersonI am having a hard time understanding why you would rely on articles from sites frankly I have never heard of, articles that are not dated and flat out contain misleading and incorrect information ?

Don't rely on the phone number they give you, Google the employer, call the phone you get from Google, and ask for HR.And trust your gut.

I'm the numbers/data guy in the group, so they'll be relying on me for that part. 

So early on in this game it's important that you're the master of your own ship and educate yourself as much as you can so you won't have to rely on an agent.  

I'll still keep working for a few years just to qualify for loans on equity properties in the Seattle area, but I'm really starting to think as great as the equity strategy is, it relies on market timing, and cash flow properties that you own free and clear and can replace your six figure salary are the way to go as part of a portfolio of index funds, bond funds, REIT's, and equity properties.Plus, at the end of the day, on a paid off 300K house in King County I would net $1,100 profit a month after all expenses.