First time rental property crieria

[Deepa Jan]

As I am actively working to get a new rental property, I am trying define what I am comfortable with as a first time investor. 

Would love to pick your brain on these questions.

1) How important is a good school district for rental / +ve cashflow house ? I find myself looking for houses in good school district only and find it hard to get a good deal obviously.

2) What do guys think of houses with swimming pool ? I am worried about the liabilities. What have been your strategies to manage liabilities ?

3) Is a house older than 1970 worse off from investment perspective ? How should i draw the line on the age of the house ?

4) Is 3Bed 2 Bath the classic SFH rental one ? What if the bath was 1 or 1.5 instead of two ?

I have spent way too much time looking for good deals in Fresno, Stockton area and I am realizing I might been looking at wrong places for the current environment.

5) Where are you guys investing with a positive Cash flow ?

I know there are lot of questions, but appreciate a good discussion here.

Thanks

Deepa