@Mike DuganDriving for Dollars is when you pick out a area or neighborhood that you drive up and down the streets looking for vacant or distressed properties.

Basically there are 2 types of investors that come into this neighborhood- people who renovate and flip properties and people who tear down and build new homes.

I started with duplexes in the hood and luckily made out OK and now am in SFRs in better neighborhoods.  

Mike yes, Darrin and I spoke because he knows the neighborhood pretty well.

Recently saw another Fannie Mae property in a neighborhood that I like.

Read somewhere that SFH in solid blue collar neighborhoods is a safe strategy.

Another great place to find RIT rentals are in the neighborhoods near Calkins Road and Bailey Road (closer to RIT).

David StoneElma, WATHE NUMBERS: Our purchase price in 2009:  $155,000Currently owe:  $136,000Mortgage:  $1080 / mo (PITI)Rent:  $1000 ($100 above median, but house is newer condition than neighborhood), Tenant pays all utilitiesProperty:  3 bed, 2.5 bath, 1576 sq ft, built 2008, located just outside Shelton, WAFair market value:  $166,000 according to Zillow private estimate of comps I am looking to make a minimum of $35,000 from the sale of the property to make it worth itBACKGROUND:This certain property was not originally purchased for a rental.  

Areas West of the 14 start to get sketchy and require a deep knowledge of what pockets are the rougher neighborhoods and which pockets are decent.  

That area is a lower class neighborhood, but it's closer to town and should come around in time.