Gotten Stuck Evaluating Where to Invest

[Abigail Lipson]

This is a 2-parter. 

1. I'm a real estate investor and property management company owner in Austin. I know Austin; I don't know other markets. I'm now looking to buy a SFH in another city and considering San Antonio, Birmingham and Tulsa. I've done research on each and made a spreadsheet. I've also talked to recommended Realtors in each city. I can make arguments for each but right now I'm a deer caught in the headlights. Would love to know what criteria or spreadsheets or other decision making tools you use to make the decision of where to invest.

2. As part of this search, I got connected to a company that does turnkey properties in Birmingham - they build them, sell them to the investor and manage them. I've never bought a property this way and curious if others have done it and if you think it's a good idea and how you make sure to protect yourself.