I understand the basics of looking at Zillow and Trulia and identifying the median home prices in specific areas and understanding the statistics behind the community, i.e schools, crime, growth, etc.

Is the median income trending up, etc.Once you start getting into individual neighborhoods you probably want to look at crime statistics, foreclosure rates, etc.Is it possible to find a deal in a well established market using the 1% rule?

If you want accurate values, you need to get comps and property assess a property.As far as future values go, you take take your best educated guess based on a variety of statistics (like job growth, population growth, increase in median wages, etc) but nobody has an accurate crystal ball.

I do wonder about the potential statistical increase in occupancy if you utilize leases.

I will give you a warning now that there is some high school level statistics referenced so you may want to refresh yourself.Monte Carlo SimulationsMonte Carlo simulations are a way of modeling forecasts when there are random/uncertain variables introduced that cannot be accounted for using a single value.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/200223/median-apartment-rent-in-the-us-since-1980/If you take a look at this you will see how it works.

City state job growthCity state net migrationCity state job diversityhttp://www.best-cities.org/ - Milken Institute http://www.bestplaces.net – Sperling’s reports     Also check out where people are moving to and from by using the following:North American Moving Services: https://www.northamerican.com/migration-mapUnited Van Lines: https://www.unitedvanlines.com/contact-united/news/U-Haul: http://myuhaulstory.com/ and https://www.uhaul.com/About/Once you find a state or states then you can use some of these to drill down into MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area)http://www.census.gov/topics/population/population-projections/about.html - Population ProjectionsLocal Area Unemployment Stats By State: https://www.bls.gov/lau/ Seasonally Adjusted Metropolitan Area Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/lau/metrossa.htmI hope I didn't overwhelm you and Hope that helps.

I stand by my conclusion in my prior post. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1562401/000156240118000029/amh12311710k.htmhttps://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1562401/000156240118000029/amh12311710k.htmhttp://www.wakegov.com/tax/statistics/Pages/residentialsales.aspx

(just curious)Statistically the lower income population does have more evictions, however there are still solid renters to be had in that income class, of course.

I work full-time and go to school full-time majoring in Statistics.