Deciding which market to invest in?

[Scot Poore]

Hello All! 

I am looking to buy a few buy and hold rentals in the the next 18-24 months. I am doing some research and exploring which market I should invest in.  I live in the Atlanta Metro area, but I am looking to invest in a smaller town that may have better cash flows per door.  A few markets I am thinking about are as follows. 

1. Montgomery, AL

2. Jacksonville, AL

3. Rome, Ga

4. Athens, Ga

5. Huntsville, Al

6. Douglasville, Ga 

If anyone has any insight to which markets they think have good opportunity or any other recommendations please let me know! Thank you!

[Jeff Kehl]

@Scot Poore I'm biased because I'm heavily invested in the Rome market. But I have also looked at Athens and Huntsville and I think you'd be fine in either of those as well. I'm not familiar with the other ones so I won't comment. Generally though, you want to look for a strong economic base with good job and population growth. Also look at diversity, Rome has Medical, Education and manufacturing. Look for that, not just one thing. You just don't want an 'oil town' or a place that makes cars and has nothing else going for it.