Ideally, you wish to see job expansion equivalent to or surpassing population expansion. You also need areas with pro roles moving in. It is calculated that for each pro job made, there are 4 service roles made, and all those workers need a place to live. Is the population growing? You can check the US Census figures online, or ask the local state if they have the stats. Keep away from areas that have little growth.

Is there a respectable quality of life? It’s subjective, but significant. It is also a good indication of a high quality-of-life if folks are prepared to take lower-paying roles just to live there. Is there wealth in the area? It’s a great sign when there’s some quantity of wealth in a city. Wealth means everything doesn’t die when the economy slows. Number of houses for sale? Lower supply of houses for sale means upward pressure on costs.

This indirectly drives up hires too which makes for better investing. New construction? Census figures can tell you what’s occurred over the last 10 years. Check with the local authorities to determine if the quantity of housing units they have issued allows for is nearly than the predicted population growth.

Hire and vacancy levels? Leases have to be high enough, and vacancies low enough to make a case for investing. When we originally came to Tucson, every building had vacancies we saw a person holding a sign that read, “Apartment – $250 Per Month.” A wonderful place for renters, but not so superb for owners. The available land that’s buildable? Naturally, less available land is better for future appreciation. When the land runs out, the costs start rising upwards. When you use these questions to compare diverse cities and towns, you will see the differences more obviously. You may have an idea about how home demand compares to supply in each. This can help you pin down the best investment property locations.