The home buying trend is improving from the data I monitor, and with personal experience with my listings and sales.

I think people are certainly getting sick of the guru upsell as well -- that trend is turning in the right direction as well.

In Abu Dhabi, this trend is far more advance now, expatriates from different parts of the world are coming this way to invest because they know that UAE is a challenging yet lucrative place to invest and are 100% secure.

Of course if you are able to get a better return from appreciation and rents in certain "booming" areas, but of course this trend is never infinite.

A compromise would be Murray Hill...not trendy like Riverside but pretty decent and plenty of MFH options.

Just starting out and I have this idea that purchasing a town home from a builder would make for a great rental.Pros:- reputable builder- growing area in west Ottawa- trendy, new outlets, lots of new development- attract high level tenant- good for buy&hold long term Cons:- wait for closing- might be tough to rent if cannot show- lose most profit as it goes to the builder- would need a larger than usual down payment (30-50% +) to cash flow *also I am completely new at this and only see it happening with a JV partner who provides the capital.Can this strategy work?

Granted, everyone has their own needs and wants, but in my opinion, if you can get over not needing to live or invest in the more trendy affluent areas, there are some opportunities to be had for those who love SoCal and want to lay down some roots in this city.

I can't even buy sneakers till I get the rents from my new tenants.....then i rush to the apt and hand deliver my notice of change of ownership and ask for the rent if I didn't collect it at the closing table.  

The really trendy areas are pricing the average out of the market.

Aside from great deals I've found in growing neighborhoods, there are obviously cheaper properties in less trendy neighborhoods.