Market Selection Criteria

[Pramod Yash]

I admit - I am a data geek. 

I suspect a 2020 recession so I am utilizing the time now to learn as much as possible about REI. I am also quantitatively gifted (forced to learn, lets say) with some technical chops, so wanted to build a better mousetrap for market/neighborhood/block selection. I realize that there are various market monitors like housing alerts out there but wanted to see if I can come up with something equally good - but free to poke around.

What are your criteria for market selection and neighborhood targeting. This is particularly relevant if you are an OOS investor.

I have listed a few that I thought might be relevant; is there anything else that you find compelling and that has worked for you?

Thanks much.

• Net Domestic Migration
• Highly Educated Workforce
• Looking at typical Population, Job, Income Growth indicators
• Want outsized job growth above all else
• Younger, more productive, highly educated people moving into new markets
• Workforce - quality of workforce; potential to have outsized GDP growth
• Pro-Business Climates
• Political Climate
• Tax Climate
• Schools
• Walk Scores
• Sales Tax Collections
• Retail Sales
• Diversity
• Price/Rent ratio
• Home Price growth rate
• Income growth rate
• SFR to MF concentration