Best Tools & Stats for Identifying Strong Real Estate Markets?

[Scott Costello]

Hey everyone,

I’m new to real estate investing and currently in the process of identifying the best markets to invest in. I know BiggerPockets has some solid templates for market analysis, but I’m looking for more specific insights into what data and tools experienced investors use to determine if a market is worth pursuing.

A little about my strategy:

• I’m looking for a good balance of appreciation and cash flow (not just one or the other).
• I currently have a full-time W2 job but plan to transition into full-time investing within the next 5 years.
• Open to out-of-state investing, but struggling with how to track and analyze different markets effectively.

What key statistics do you look at when evaluating a market? (e.g., job growth, population trends, rent-to-price ratios, etc.)
What websites, software, or tools do you use to collect and track this data?

I’d love to hear how you narrow down markets before diving into deeper property-level analysis. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!