I'm as shocked as anyone that Philadelphia and some other cities are finally gaining population as the trend for decades has seen shrinking population in cities. 

If numbers shrink, we'll be on the other side supply/demand curve.

I recently read a book that talked about fortune building, and history has shown that emerging big players, along with more an d more competitors entering  a market, leads to  shrinking profit margins and impedes growth.

Actually, @Stephen Schaefer this is far from guaranteed:Population is only going up.In a number of countries, Russia and Japan, for example, population is shrinking. 

The analyst showed that overwhelmingly in southern CA, there is a lack of inventory, and it is consistently shrinking month after month, pushing prices higher and higher.

Some rural counties in Colorado have a shrinking population despite the rest of the state experiencing growth.

You are expecting 1600 which is a bit higher than 1% but far from 2% If you use the 50% rule after deducting for maintenance , insurance, taxes , vacancy and property management you would have 800 net operating income after subtracting your loan of $385 you have net income of $415 monthly which would shrink considerably if your loan escalates after 5 years.

How would my Texas friends evaluate this market that has been shrinking in population that has had above average unemployment and crime has Lost its manufacturing base.I am betting it has hit bottom and will slowly appreciate over the next 5 to 10 years as the city finds its way.How would you compare it to the latest Hot market in Auston.

The independent piers are necessary to keep the slab leveld during seasonal shrinking and swelling of the clay soils.

Even with shrinking inventory and rising prices, it's still easier to find great deals than it is to find private money, especially if you're new and inexperienced.