I aim for high, but realistic.

I assume you've lived in Boston long enough to not measure distance in time.  1 hour at 5pm only gets you to Waltham going west... :)Fitchburg seems like a solid town for investment.  200k cash should buy you 4-6 properties out that way.Nashua, NH is a town that looked great several years ago with the exception of their high property taxes.  

What would you say is a good price to aim for? 

There is nothing rational to it, by any measure of traditional thinking.  

This is a simple way to increase our own performance - measure it. 

Account Closed says....hopefully you will have too many leads and will want to wholesale:)  (Pat are you guys still aiming for Asheville in Spring?)

The CAP rate measures people's behavior - that's all.  

Being related gives a bit more leeway in making the payments, you can also go at the transaction as being part of the family estate planning measures which can keep you clear of the due on sale clause (might search that on BP).Good luck :)

Putting properties in a trust is a normal asset protection measure that anyone can do and would not cause the bank's due on sale clause to come due.

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." ~ Vince Lombardi