It also means diversification across multiple asset types, geographies, operators, and investments.Thanks again and best wishes!

Also, I’d recommend considering expanding you geography.

If anything, the new SEC laws allow accredited investor to diversify among sponsors, asset classes, strategies, and geographies since we can just put $50K into each deal vs. $1M :)

You still have to learn the geography of Boston so it would be a great idea to start taking trains to various locations and understand their values, character, as well as appeal (and lack of appeal).

Geography is important, we're in NJ, a hot spot for cases. 

The wikipedia link below does a good job of explaining the issue, but in short, geo-data tabulated by large geographies, such as states or MSAs, tend to obfuscate metrics by averaging out the data over the whole geography.

The best locations because of their geography, culture, climate, etc. will win with virtual work.

The better you know the city: the schools, the areas with high crime, what’s becoming trendy, where the new developments are going and which malls are closing etc.... the easier it is to know whether a property is a good buy or not.Regarding what to look for in a market is sound fundamentals: a strong economy, jobs, population growth, jobs, new construction (but hopefully not outpacing demand), natural geography, climate, desirability, solid unemployment rates, jobs, high household incomes relative to home prices (affordability) and jobs, but mostly jobs.By those metrics I think Seattle looks good, minus the affordability factor.

When appreciation has run up and the screws are tightening on NOI from rental you can move that portfolio to a better appreciating geography or a more landlord friendly state, and do it without having to pay tax on the profit or recapture depreciation. 

I have a pretty good sense of my criteria (price, deal size, and geography) - I'm looking at SFH and smaller MFH (2-4 units) in the Columbus, OH market.