After doing our due diligence with the surrounding area we have found that his properties really are the blight in the neighborhood.

Try to get a niche market to start off with within an hour or so drive.  

I am really interested in bringing a driving range to the Rogers-Bentonville area because I am an avid golfer and I'm down in Arkansas a lot already and there is never any where to hit golf balls at besides country clubs.

If you're willing to drive a little further you can get great deals in Orange Park for buy and holds $100K and less with great returns. 

Maybe the school zone drives the area up from a B to a B+.

I am driving from LA to Surprise in the second week of June to meet with them in person. 

One fact that you uncover, example, the gasoline manufacturing plant next door, the rental properties that surround your property, etc.  

I a, also fairly new to the site but currently working on acquiring more rental units in Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs.  

My work is in Foxboro and I'm looking for a 30-35 mins drive.

Here is my list, some of them are in line with the others like @Dustin Kircher and @Mike Dymski1) Let's me know as soon as something good hits the market (depends on the investor)2) Ability to do a bit of quick calculations and uses common sense as far as returns3) Willing to blow a lot of time scouting with me / patient (I'm sure this is why some agents hate investors)4) Not trying to sales talk (I really do not like retail residential agents, their mindsets and email blasts tend to drive me nuts. haha *sigh* )