About 125,000 in population, with a MAJOR highway corridor being built and 4 yr university is now here and several big factories moving in because of it.

There was a time when more people were still farmers, shopkeepers and tradesman, working for themselves to earn a living, and only a few worked in large factories or in big corporate settings. 

I'm a true believer in buying used (1-2 years old) so as not to pay too much for a car coming straight from the factory.

Another thing that would be really nice is a tool that can flag interesting events in past/present (such as a factory being built in an area) and give real estimated numbers for the effect on house and rental prices.

The burnout factor is beginning to kick in. 

When I had kids, Vegetales came out with a spoof that my wife and I laughed our heads off at, "Hey Bob, I just bought a whole chocolate factory with no money down!"  

I am assuming you were planning on doing this as an appreciation play.I have a factory in South of Manila in a place called Santa Rosa. 

Rents are high and a new factory is being built.

A big factor is if it is in a flood zone, most are not.  

Another large factor is heat and snow (snow isn't usually a big deal expense-wise, but it is this year)If you pay the heat and hot water, that's another huge variable, not a small one.