House / rental market in Hartford, CT.

If your credit is good, now is a great time to buy!   Your best bet is to get represented by a competent Realtor.  Then the Realtor will have a fiduciary duty to represent your interests.  There are some great buys in the Hartford area and you will get a better interest rate if you are an owner occupant. Hartford's  multifamily housing stock is mostly old, ie 1880-1930.  
Here are some things to consider:
1. Condition of the property- look at the condition of the roof, electrical and heating systems.  Certain financing (FHA/CHFA/VA) requires that these be in good condition. Beyond that, nowadays, insurance companies are being very picky about properties having updates and meeting current safety codes.  As an example, some insurance companies will not insure houses with active knob-and-tube wiring. Very important also, is the condition of the paint job- Lead paint is a huge environmental issue, as lead can severely impact the health of children and cause brain damage and disabilities.  There are Federal regulations regarding lead paint disclosre  with houses built prior to 1978 or houses that have pre-1978  components that may contain lead. New regulations put into effect last year require that contractors be "lead certified" to minimize the spread of lead paint dust contamination during remodeling.  There are also Federal regulations regarding the disclosure of known environmental hazards of   asbestos, urea formadehyde foam insulation and radon. 
2. Condition of the neighborhood- Are most properties in the area you are looking in reasonable condition or are they vacant or vandalized? The value of your home is definitely impacted by properties in the neighborhood.
Here are just 2 considerations, and there are more.
All the best!