Whether they were personal or business oriented, there is probably a large population that has already given up, and we aren’t even two months into the new year.

I liked Fort Benning's market (Columbus, GA) - Good rental population but very dated inventory and low rent growth. 

It's one of the fastest growing populations and housing markets in the country, it's incredibly easy (and cheap) to do business here, and the average CAP is around 5% (but you can usually do better). 

Next is deciding a market that will meet your desired returns and has characteristics like good job/population growth, job diversification, landlord/business friendly and a rising market.

Some of those variables are; the current market that you're considering (is the market increasing in population growth), the future of the market, the ability to keep tenants, taxes, the ability to achieve positive cash flow, your current goals and future.Ultimately, if the numbers work and you're confident than it can be a great time to invest in real estate. 

On my research I see that this specific borough has a population of around 1000 and is 0.3 sq. mile radius,  but is in close proximity to Lancaster and York.  

When you sell the property, you will only be able to sell to other investors while SFH you have larger population to target. 

Population growth - trending up is goodIncome growth (or converse is the unemployment rate)- trending up is good (income); trending down is good (unemployment rate)Building permit filings - compare it with market absorption - if more permits are being filed but the market is not absorbing it, it could indicate a market is being overbuilt so not good to invest thereForeclosure filings - this is a leading indicator of price decline (if there's a huge uptick with this metric I will be worried)How real estate developer friendly is the city - so watch press releases from local goverments or call them to find out their 5-year development plan

However, there are many areas that are shrinking as far as population, jobs, etc. that is what is providing these returns to many investors, but when they go to re-sell they will not be able to sell for the higher prices they thought they would be able to. 

He followed up by stating a lot of facts about population growth, how close it was to Austin, how many people live there and commute to Austin for work and how it is a gold mine.