You can use Rentometer.com to check the local rents in the area to see what is common for the neighborhood. If you're unfamiliar with the area , look up the property on Trulia.com and look at the crime heat map to see if it is located in a high crime area - that should help you get an idea if the property can cash flow and if it is a good neighborhood or not - of course nothing can substitute a good walk around the block. If you wouldn't feel comfortable walking it at night , then it is probably too rough for your taste. I have cash flow calculators that I use to determine how much a property would generate in income if you are interested.