They can create a false sense of precision and can be risky if they’re applied too mechanically.What I’ve found works better is a consistent review process rather than a numeric score — looking at the same core categories every time (income stability, employment consistency, rental history patterns, documentation quality), and then documenting why something is solid, uncertain, or needs follow-up.Two applicants can land at the same ‘score’ but carry very different types of risk, and that nuance is usually what matters.

That’s not a small tremor — that’s a meaningful shift for a company that anchors a huge part of our local economy.Layer that on top of UPS announcing up to 30,000 job cuts, and it becomes harder to ignore the pattern.

I want to be there in the morning to observe work patterns and daily routines, spend time in a local café or coffee shop to see who actually lives and lingers there, and be present after work to understand how the area transitions in the evening.

Crime patterns, school zones, and tenant demand play a big role.Tenant quality and turnover trends — Certain areas and price points see higher turnover, which can quickly impact cash flow.Older housing stock and maintenance expectations — Many properties require updates or ongoing repairs that out-of-state investors often underestimate.Eviction execution and local process — Mississippi law is generally landlord-friendly, but local knowledge is key to handling issues efficiently.Curious to hear from other Jackson investors.

Patterns will start to emerge, and deals will begin to stand out. 

It clicks together, so no glue down, and the pattern we used resembles marble with a gray veining. 

Again, the migration pattern to the feeder markets to WNC is astronomically high, for nearly 20 years running.. there is an organic pattern on the East side of the mountains that is anchored by cities that do not rely on tourism creating steady appreciation, and not erratic (TN is a prime example). 4. 

Better ratios usually mean better cash flow. (2) Check population and job growth numbers - markets with employers and inbound migration are more resilient. (3) Validate actual in‑place rents with local property managers — advertised rents often overstate reality. (4) Know local landlord‑tenant laws, property taxes, insurance costs, and vacancy patterns as these materially affect returns.

You need AI to provide you with pattern detection, outlier detection, casual reasoning, scenario analysis, narrative synthesis and decision guidance.Some things that you will need to be sure to do is making sure that your expense categories data doesn't vary from year to year and that you have everything categorized correctly.Last, I would consider two things: adding benchmark intelligence with ranges from that Frank Gallinelli book into the prompt.

Where investors get tripped up (common patterns): Using debt leverage in private real estate or partnership structures Owning private equity or operating business interests that generate ordinary business income Failing to track and trigger Form 990-T as requiredDocumentation reminder (education-only):Maintain income characterization support and coordinate with tax professionals before and during calendar year reporting if you suspect UBTI exposure.5) Practical ChecklistBefore adding private equity–style exposure or other alternatives to your SDIRA: ☐ Confirm that the asset type is permissible for SDIRAs under IRS guidelines. ☐ Ensure entity documentation clearly names the SDIRA as the owner. ☐ Identify whether the investment may generate UBTI/UBIT. ☐ Coordinate with your custodian/administrator on valuation requirements. ☐ Review compliance risk related to disqualified persons and prohibited transactions.6) What We’re Watching Further IRS guidance on safe harbor procedures for rollovers and RMDs in 2026.