@Scott Morongell, NC is booming just like Texas...

Las Vegas historically has been boom or bust, but has been working in recent years to diversify its economy (UNLV recently opened a medical school).

Your area is BOOMING right now.  

As you all may know, the real estate market here is booming.

I have seen that market boom and bust a few times. 

lol   We have a booming economy and the growth and expansion are continuing to grow like crazy. 

It's still just a stone's throw away from a wild-a$$ guess.So you can immediately see how overconfident, swaggering types end up abruptly disappearing from these forums all the time, right?

I haven't heard many discussions about those areas, but there are definitely nice areas that seems to be booming in some of those towns. 

I believe in rising markets, appreciation is a given and expect capital growth to do its magic.I believe some neighborhoods in Detroit are on the cusp of booming, have to be selective.

All that said, this is a fairly hot market and a booming economy with plenty of homes in need of rehabs and renters.It's up to you, you could go 25 years with no storm, or get one a week after your first purchase.