Proximity to "the cute downtown area", shopping, expressways, big roads, close to parks, noise issues, close power lines/treatment plants/etc. - Schools: Are some of them located closer to "the good school" in the area?

Your daughter needs to be your eyes and ears, make sure she is educated as well through BP.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

If you have feedback on how we could improve, I'm all ears.

Thats a great point Wayne as a practical matter I dont think any practical investor would consider making any Lease Option Deal in anything but a Rising Market.I hear some noises that things are slowing turning around in S calif .I'll believe it when I see it.Im I wrong in saying it would be crazy to do Lease Option/Sandwich Lease in a Declining Market,,,??

Ours is along the same lines as Tommy R's, where we've been able to show them multiple ways how accepting our offer would save them on holding costs, repair costs, in every way it makes sense, and yet because of some strict algorithm the offer falls on deaf ears and they take it back REO.

Especially useful when we need to lock in our end buyerAs far as note buying...I'm all ears.

Maybe all agents work differently but my expectation is from my experience with my local-agent that is a forward thinker and communicates well and is well versed in her craft.The conversation with the broker/owner he works for flooded my ears with cap rates and expectations on areas like students populate here or more professionals in this area but some grad students, if I am looking at student rental then I need to be weary of the cycles (in/out when they look for housing, etc).

If you are doing the mailing yourself then head down to the post office during an non busy hour and bend someones ear about using the best method to get you mail to your desired destination.

Or, when a friend takes you aside from the masses and whispers in your ear the name and information of somebody they trust, does that stick with you a little better?

He has his ears to the ground, and can recommend some good comparable options if Manchester is not great.