I don't care what type of deal I do as long as the profits are large enough.My 1st deal is a little 980 sf house I just picked up for the site value in an area with more demand than supply.

But there are a lot of variables and obviously not every buyer who is paying more than me is losing money.

I used to sell insurance and can tell you that there are a lot of variables involved.

The basics of a good real estate investment seem unchanged at the core: location, population growth, neighborhood demographics, supply and demand, surrounding amenities, etc.

They have specific researchers called "research analyst" that do nothing but put this stuff together.There are commercial data companies that supply the info that charge a bunch of money.The key is if the info Is going over a macro level or a micro market.

Many variables of course.

Before going after demand (investors) you need supply (Properties) to be able to close the deal then and there.

The property information supplied by the county equalization department will show the property address but it will also have the address to who pays the taxes.

I have been told by real estate brokers in different geographies of the Western US that the local banks control more than three years of supply of homes that are in default but that they refuse to foreclose on.

If there are a lot of for rent signs, there may be too much supply or not enough demand.