From my understanding, due to population growth, public investment, and economic forces, the city is looking like a strong buy and hold.Appreciate any insights!

I pick close-in burbs with good access to public transportation.  

Not sure what people think when they show public discouragement.

After the new security issues arising with videoed properties that are posted on public places...OTA, MLS, etc....we have decided against videos that show the layout of the property, or other details that would breach the security of the home. 

You can set specific criteria to spot underpriced homes, distressed properties, or anything that’s flown under the radar.I know several investors have had more luck with using water shut off lists, so while it's more work, that might be an even better approach.One thing to note is that Privy compiles real-time MLS data and integrates public records, so you’re not just getting a snapshot of the listing status but a full picture, including owner history, property condition, and any price drops over time.That said, if your focus is primarily on expired listings, I'd also suggest checking out RedX—they’re known for their niche in expireds and FSBOs.

I recall appraisers check the public records before doing an actual walkthrough.

Did you check public records to see if the seller even owns the property outright (if possible in your area)?

I run a real estate data venture that pulls from various private and public sources and curates these reports, so it's not a simple answer.Social Sentiment: Search demand and what people are saying online.Neighborhood Class: Cleanliness, crime, graffiti, and overall health.Demographics: Identify market segments & trends.GDP & Economic Growth: County-level GDP changes to assess economic vitality.Poverty Metrics: Analyze economic challenges.Construction Activity: Easily predict market supply.Occupational Diversity: Forecast housing & commercial needs.Education Insights: Understand community stability.Real Estate Trends: Identify property value & rental cycles.Houston was just a place where I felt like sharing some knowledge.

Here are the ways you can qualify for material participation per IRS publication 925: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p925#en_US_2023_publink1000...Material participation tests.You materially participated in a trade or business activity for a tax year if you satisfy any of the following tests.1.

Also, the rate at which new properties are being snapped up suggests that there is quite a bit of interest among the investing public.