Real Estate Trends

[Shema Turner]

Hi everyone, 

Is there a way one can determine real estate/ market trend for a particular area, lets say in the next 5-10 yrs?  I am planning on purchasing a property and I want to hold on to it for a few yrs,the market currently looks good but I wandering if there a formula or maybe something I should be looking at to determined if this area will grow in the next 5 yrs. 

Any help is greatly appreciated.