S 2nd is HOT and so are the Freshwater Plaza area and the Inner Harbor.

Hot buttons are not atypical:  good property appreciation potential, solid rental market, and access to reliable management firms.  

Not to mention the house is in a hot market so no problem selling.Of course the property is also easy to rent but it doesn't make the 2% rule, or 1%.

Only exception being if you hit a hot area with appreciation.

I  started buying my first two deals in Tampa, and was fortunate to do so during this current hot market, so in that sense I have been lucky to start this way, but also in need of some reality about other types of markets, and how to respond as markets change.

Now I know nothing of that market it could be red hot for all I know.but smaller town markets tend to be slow movers and usually discounted purchase price from ask because there is so much to choose from.that's the basics

such a general question and so hard to answer. here's an answer that you won't find useful at all - my gas bill is $75 per month. it's not useful to you since you have no idea what month i am talking about - cold or hot; what style house; how many square ft; where the house is located; etc, etc.to get an answer that suits your needs, you have to ask the question with more details.

Thanks for taking the time to set this out.Appliances are a hot topic, my partner was going through the accounts and found how much we had spent on appliances at various units, we have done complete sets of stainless steel appliances in a good number of condos.

I'm on my 3rd student rental, i have renovated them completely, and put in new furnaces and hot water heaters. my property manager charges slightly more than most places for mine because they are nicer than most. i have found if you take care of the place, the students will as well, most students that destroy the places usually stay in the cheapest place they can find. i have had good luck with the students i have had for the past 3 years, and some of them have re-rented.

There might not be as much appreciation as rest of the country, but you can pick up properties with equity and leave room to add value and sell them for profit.I closed on a Merrillville property last week and one last month and it's a very hot market for investors because there are a lot of owner occupants moving in the area.Also, like @Paul Stoutsaid the property might not have a AC unit.