I envision there's something out there that keeps tabs on big companies movement (ie Tesla, Toyota, or Amazon building a manufacturing plant in "x" city) and then aggregating that information to project how that will effect the amount of jobs in a particular market.

BP podcasts have excited this movement in me as well; can’t get enough of it!

If this is successful in Seattle, this movement could spread to several major cities.2.

I download the HUD information into my own spreadsheet every day and track the movement of prices over time and the sales price / list price ratios.

The gas station owner only lowers his prices when his competitor across the street capitulates and lowers his first - the downward movement in prices is driven by the supply side, not by the demand side, and therefore the nature of these prices will tend to be 'stickier' and less noticeable during a downturn, although like some have pointed out above, it's certainly not immune to the basic laws of supply and demand.

Such a shame.It looks like I got in a few years late.That’s good you’re reaping the benefits though.I agree with the idea of first time investors jumping in too eagerly.I’ve had/am having that same feeling and am starting to tell myself all the other benefits besides cashflow.However, on the other hand, I don’t want to buy at these high list prices and perpetuate the cycle.

With the interest rates looking like upward movement is imminent, I'm swayed towards acquiring as many loans locked in at today's lower rates as I can max out at -- and then focus on paying them off starting in 1-2 years.Thoughts?

Easy and cheap, and still creates a dead air space to prevent movement, so it works.

Unfortunately, there's no such thing as a 'free and clear' property since property taxes are a perpetual lien on everybody's real estate and many have HOAs as another perpetual lien. 

I have no anticipation of there being much movement one way or the other.