Key metrics when considering investing on out of state market

[Juan Marino]

What are some key metrics I should be looking at when trying to find a place to invest out of state?

I'm looking into buying and holding in a San Antonio and Austin but I'm not really sure which metrics will give me a better understanding of the demand in these areas. I know population growth is a big one but I'm not sure what else I should be looking at.

Thank you

[Arissa Pedroza]

Check out bestplaces.net.

On that site, you can search by city, zip code or neighborhood.  You want to look at key factors, such as:

- Population growth

- Unemployment rate

- Vacancy (both rental and owner occupied)

- Future job growth

- Crime

- Housing State - look at home appreciation in the last 10 and 5 years as well as the last 12 months.  

You always want these numbers to be better than the national average.  I know San Antonio has a 57th% population growth right now and those are some amazing numbers.  In addition, we have a 44% housing appreciation in the last 10 years as opposed to 11% with the national average  - basically our little town is recession proof.

There is a lot more to go into on this site, but these are some awesome factors.

Arissa