For flips and BRRRR's the key indicators that investors look for are what comparable properties have sold for in the past 90 days or so less than 1/2 mile from the property they are looking for the likely potential profit of a property in the next 30 to 60 days not long term growth predictions.

What are long-term growth predictions for both population growth and the housing market in general?  

It avoids predictable problems.

Many are predicting a return to a more normalized market vs crash. 

It has a pretty predictable long term appreciation rate. 

Planners like them because they get to work closely with the owners and it gives a little more predictability (a lot of their decisions about zoning and strategy is based on projections because they don't know all the variables of community growth ahead of time).Also, a quick note on subdividing, it might be a good idea to use an LLC to protect your investment and limit liability.

They probably predicted an escrow shortage and increased your payment to cover that. 

And more units just means there more predictability in that you'll never be "50% vacant" if 1/2 units isn't rented and if there are enough units then expenses become more predictable but their is "always something breaking".  

There was a recent USC study that predicted San Diego apartment rents would go up $129 by 2019. 

@Stephen Kunen you are predicting a "crash" with the economy doing well, the Saudi's put a trillion dollars into a hedge fund for US roads and infrastructure the next thing Trump has on his list.