What Are Your Most Important Market Analysis Metrics?

[Josh Oaten]

Hello All, For all you multifamily investors out there, I would love to hear what you believe are the most important metrics you look at when analyzing a market and why? Thanks, Josh Oaten

[John Acklen]

I'm trying to educate myself on this as well, @Josh Oaten.  Some of the research I'm including in my market analysis is: 

1) Rent-to-Income Ratio

2) Unemployment Rates

3) Population Growth

4) Future employment/development trends in the area (i.e. what are the major employers? Do you think they will be in business for a long time?) 

5) Crime statistics

6) Median Income

7) Percentage of Renters vs Owners

Are there any other key metrics that BP is looking at when identifying markets to invest in? 

Thanks, 

John Acklen