All Forum Posts by: Connor Heffler

When it comes to real estate investing, different factors will be more or less important depending on your specific goals and investment strategy. However, here are some general guidelines for how you might weigh the various demographics you mentioned:

1. Crime rate: This is likely to be a top concern for most investors, as high crime rates can make properties difficult to rent out and can also negatively impact property values.
2. Unemployment rate: A high unemployment rate can indicate a struggling local economy, which can lead to lower demand for rental properties.
3. Population growth rate: A growing population can be a good sign for real estate investing, as it can lead to increased demand for housing.
4. Home price to rental ratio: This ratio can give you an idea of whether it is more financially viable to buy and hold properties as rentals or to flip them. A high ratio may indicate a seller's market, where it may be more profitable to flip properties, while a low ratio may indicate a buyer's market where it may be more profitable to hold onto properties as rentals.
5. Property taxes: Higher property taxes can eat into your profits from renting out a property, so it's important to consider the tax burden when evaluating a potential investment.
6. Landlord friendliness: It's generally easier to be a successful landlord in a market that is supportive of landlords and has favorable landlord-tenant laws.

I agree with the above comments, but also add the adage that it's less important where you choose to invest and more important that you choose to invest at all. Don't make a dumb choice, but don't get too caught up in overanalyzing it. People make money in real estate all over.

@Connor Heffler there was an article Bigger Pockets sent out 3 days ago titled "These 10 Markets Could Boom in 2023 - According to the NAR." I always pay attention to articles from the National Association of Realtors. Especially, when their chief Economist gives feedback. You can access the article here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/... But according to the article one of these growth areas is right here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. Texas is one of the most landlord friendly states as well. I personally own investment properties here in the DFW area. So you can't go wrong investing here. But recommend regardless of of where you invest find an investor friendly realtor to work with. My insights as a fellow investor has helped many other clients avoid pitfalls that many first time investors make mistakes. Hope this helps narrow your search. 

Welcome to the BiggerPockets forums!

Personally, I want to start with a Landlord-friendly state. Then I would look for a market with a good property manager. It won't do any good to find a cash-flowing investments but then they perform poorly because of bad management. Then I would start to look at the strength of schools and crime rates.