We just closed on our first property in Salem and you are right to place it in your fringe catagory.  

I was looking for some fringe area that could see better deals and appreciation ( like everyone else lol)Thanks for your insight.

Try to buy on the fringe of the hood for the first one (by a highway, hospital, or school, well lit street, corner lot maybe) instead of right smack in the middle of the urban core.

With Amazon coming, Northern Virginia real estate prices are too crazy for a positive cash flow scenario, so I am trying to find something good on the fringes that is within 1 to 2 hours of me. 

And it shouldn’t, tax benefits are a fringe benefit.