You might want to investigate a neighborhood with a working class foundation - those tend to be extremely stable and easy to predict. 

Some great deals here.Also, feel free to check out a blog I wrote for BP about what something similar Joe mentioned above.http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/06/21/predictions-futile-invest-real-estate-based-numbers-alone/Thanks and have a great day.

I am predicting the rental income will go up as soon as interest rates go up.

Ultimately I thought the platforms were to new to predict the long term results. 

The future is not predictable.  

I think trying to predict the top of the market in RE is as difficult as picking the top of the market in the stock market.  

The market is gonna go up and down over time and there isn't much you can do to predict anything other than long term trends.

I have received a range of estimates on the cost and value of renovations and upgrades, and I figure I can safely predict that any renovations/upgrades will "break even" from a sale perspective, but are not likely to increase the value of my house much over and above the cost of said renovations/upgrades.

Closing cost items such as a escrow fees, title fees, lender fees, appraisal are better able to be predicted and that is what you can compare from one lender to the next.  

Nobody can predict that eventuality with cetainty.