I am trying to better account for my expenses and historical trends per property.

Favorable absorption and rent trends - Google search, broker conversations, property mgmt 

But the growth will be faster and more apparent with apartments.I feel that I can track the good times to buy and sell apartments by watching these trends. 

A local mentor will give you so much insight into how to apply your strategy based upon economic trends in your community and help you navigate how to leave your stamp on the market.

It may be the edge of a trending area that still offers value and gets the spin off benefit of a higher cost area. 

If you're interested in following the real estate market back home, I'm a property manager in Detroit and the metro area and have a decent sense of what the trends are.

All in all a bustling area with a diverse and healthy economy.The real estate market is likewise healthy and currently enjoying a strong up trend in prices.

Out of all the top 30 metro city areas with a population of 2 million +, only Detroit metro and Cleveland metro have lost population from 2010 - 2013 and I see this trend continuing in the future.

If you get to the point where you dig deeper into the financials, run an analysis on the NOI while trending income and expenses.

It's a great place to meet others and stay up on the latest trends, etc. including crowdfunding.