(Cap rate, job growth, rental rates, retail, office, etc)?

If they are backed up with debris, the water can pour behind the wood fascia boards and into the building.Squirrels can also work their way into roof lines and into the attic space, allowing wind and rain in.A brand new roof should be good for 20-30 years depending on things like weather, how much sun the roof gets, hail and wind damage.Good indications of a roof on the way out: shingles starting to curl on the edges, moss or other vegetation growth, missing shingles, shingles that have shifted, staining from chimney flashing or roof vent flashing, multiple layers of shingles, torn underlayment, soft or compromised sheathing (plywood or other wood products like ceder shingles).If you can get into the attic space you might be able to see what's happening, but that's not always possible.If the roof feels soft when walking on it or touching it, the sheathing is probably water-soaked or decaying.

Jerry - I don't have a VA (don't have investment properties right now, either), but I'm curious as to what kinds of tasks you outsource to a VA?

The higher the average salary the more potential for growth because people have more money to spend.

I have spent a lot of time in school, and while I have learned a lot and it has taken me far, I am finding that organic growth and learning by intensely reading up on all the things I've gained interest in (real estate, economics, business development, leadership) is opening up even more opportunities and accelerating my growth like crazy!  

A landlord up in the Chicago area was recently taken to task for calling themselves a Property Manager.

For example, low income to rent ratio, high rental growth, and high renter ratio, etc.

(Not an easy task to build robots for NASA being a foreigner!)

The growth of most of Huntsville has not reached the north side. 

The exact method depends on the county)- insurance (ask your agent for an estimate)- replacement reserves ($250-300/unit/year)Project income and expenses to the future (e.g. 5 years from now). 3% rent growth and 2% expense growth are typical but your millage may vary.