Macy level is the happy medium between profits and expenses.Deal Breakers I have found are LocationCleaniless InternallyCurb appeal (cleanness, landscaping (fancy not required just clean up)No Carpets, tile, laminate, hardwoodFresh paintUpdated (again doesn't have to be perfect but the right paint and flowing can bring anything up to date even with a blue tub) Paint can bring the cabinets into this decadeWorking/Funcitonal/No appearance of issues (cracks, filled in, etc)One step up (garbage disposal, dishwasher, automatic garage door), etcUpdated hardware (kitchen, light fixtures, etc, spray paint can work great)Some bonus if cheap, I would also put in.

What demographic of homes do you have?

Our goal is to narrow them down to a select group that can provide most of the data we require such as economy, job growth, demographics etc.What are your best online tools for researching potential areas to purchase for buy and hold?

Gordon,As a fellow new investor, I can relate to how things seem daunting when you are diving into the real estate investing landscape.  

Choose a market for it's economic and demographic fundamentals, not because you know someone there.

Thanks for the article Not only with the value be considerably lower, but your buyer demographic will be greatly diminished as well.  

Incredible yet inexpensive landscaping is gonna be needed on this one, but it will work.

We paid market value and did some minor work (diy kitchen reno, converted bedroom to formal dining, new flooring in partially finished basement, landscaping). 1 year later we split up and I still reside in the house.

Welcome to BP Jason,Just my 0.2 cent for your moving forward lolConduct detailed due diligence on the people you are looking at working with rather than stats and demographics of a particular area or property.Thanks and see you around the forum.

You should have put some landscaping in the front to give it some curb appeal.