Strategies for evaluating locations

[Michael Sokolski]

I am interested in multi-family rental properties and/or single family vacation rentals in Eastern Pennsylvania.  As with most newbies, I'm overwhelmed by the amount of information available and am nervous about the first deal.  

When looking for an ideal location, can anyone share their strategies and what tools you use to research neighborhoods you're not familiar with?  

Thanks.

[Daniel Hyman]

Michael Sokolski
One of the items on my checklist is to check where the location is on the Trulia crime map. Anything other than green is automatically disqualified (for my criteria).