To ID markers with both, look for both.At market level verify industry diversity,    review masterplans, ID path of growth, economic development incentives, top 10 major employers.Neighborhood level: crime rates, renter vs owner ratio, average income, major employers, vacancy rates, units under construction, quality and type of closest retail, demographics, community tapestry ESRI, most common household formation, etc.There are also things you should be looking at in the subdivision or block the property is located on (ex. renters vs owners, developer and quality and age of housing, ideal housing for your target tenant, etc), but again the things you look for should be based on your specific goals, investment strategy, and investment criteria.

The majority of the tenant pool do not consider the environment in selecting accommodations and it is therefor not business wise to spend capitol dollars to target a tiny portion of the market if it prices out the majority.

I'm not sure what type of person you're targeting but cologne seems sort of shiester to me.  

Geode Pratt I am currently saving towards first rental purchase and targeting the Arlington area (starting in my backyard).

Good property management companies deal with this all the time and will know how to handle it in your target market.  

Look, a solid comprehensive system you can step into and, with hard work and a lot of time, be successful with, would be welcome indeed especially if integrated with a real estate license program targeted at investors not retail sales.

I'd like to target something in the 1.25%+ rent to "all in cost" (purchase + rehab) range.Where are other investors currently finding deals in the 1%+ range?

They sleep within 36 inches of where they feed, so I knew the target area was near where I slept.

The key is to focus and network in the market you wish to target/ invest in. join the local REA. it took me around 3 month of hard work researching, monitoring sales and following new listings etc.to become somewhat an area expert. once you Know the values in the area and network with key players in the area it is much easier to invest out of state.It is possible to invest from afar but one need to do the ground work first, travel to the area regularly form the relationships with fellow investors, professionals and realtors.

We do see more Chinese investors targeting multiple cities in the US.1) LA,SF, NYC, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, and DCWe see hundreds of inquiries for these cities every few weeks.