You need to look closely at not only the numbers, but the environment (neighborhood, demographics, crime, access to services (bus, transportation, etc.) and proximity to jobs). 

More information is available at the Md Dept of the Environment website.

The "foreclosure discount" of a decade ago doesn't apply, since that concept applied to a completely different foreclosure environment.

This is a very pro tenant environment that will eat inexperienced landlords alive.Take 6 month to a year to learn every aspect of the business, get your team together once you know everything.

Turnkey properties that are almost ready to rent are more of what I was thinking.I believe that location is everything, but I understand that in the current market environment there is often a high premium on location.

The city that I live in is a low income environment, so the houses are going cheap, but it is a college town so the rent is high.  

They are also trying to provide a quality living environment (hopefully) and fliers will come across as cheap and garbage. 

In an environment such as this where there are several housemates as signatory to the lease, we also have the remaining housemates sign a letter indicating they consent to the sublet.  

City of Allentown has a fair amount of crime but not any more than any other low income environment.

But locking in incredibly low rates on a 30-year mortgage is a great way to gain the benefits of the current interest rate environment in today's market)