I am primarily a volatility trader and do most of my stock and options trades in this area.

The score is presented on a spectrum, whereby a low score (denoting a highly volatile location) is represented in the red zone, and a high score (representing a relatively stable location) is represented in the green zone.

We're still young, and will be using real estate to fund retirement (pensions don't exist and 401ks are volatile). 

Everything business tries to do is to remove volatility.

Lucky if the broad market returns 5% with lots of volatility.

Since the beginning of 1999, the Wilshire 5000, the broadest measure of domestic stock market returns, has returned 4.2%/year, and that is with gut-wrenching volatility.199923.6%2000-10.9%2001-11.0%2002-20.9%200331.6%200412.5%20056.4%200615.8%20075.6%2008-37.2%200928.3%201017.2%20111.0%201216.1%4/19/20139.6%Avg4.2%Most large financial planning firms are telling clients their "goal" going forward is around 7% in a diversified, equity-dominant portfolio.

If you own 30 properties within a 10 mile radius, you're looking at a very focused risk that is susceptible to high volatility.

It's the volatility of the market that is making deals so difficult to project where rates will be in 3 years post development once it's time to stabilize the new construction project with a permanent loan.

Money is rarely lost in real estate, returns are less volatile, and returns have been similar to the S&P 500 for the past 50 years (9.5% for MF v. 10% for S&P 500).

Most small independent lumber yards and building material suppliers are sitting out as the market is too volatile for them to play in.