Net Job Growth and how that growth is forecast for the foreseeable timetable is key for any long-term market. 

But it almost sounds like your argument should be for renting out brand new houses in markets that don’t have severe weather or asphalt roofs.

In that market, there are a lot of relo tenants, so the end of the year isn't much different than any other time, plus the weather doesn't discourage people from moving in the winter.

Do keep in mind if this house is in Philadelphia you have to consider the freezing weather and you don't want busted/frozen pipes.

-Property values might decline and drag rents down too-(but Haslett is supported by retirees as well as its best-in-state schools)-The entire state economy might convulse as it did during the automaker exit and Great Recession-(but Michigan is still in early recovery from its major declines so it has very little space to fall further and Haslett weathered that storm quite well - using Zillow Home Price as a measure)Returning to your original two sources, the housing stock in Haslett is growing very, very slowly due to smart but strict regulation while the demand for housing is continuing to grow faster.So, all things point to growth in this tiny REI area which is best known perhaps for the Lake Lansing coastline of which supports houses ranging from 250K to 1.5M (and were these lake houses built almost anywhere in Los Angeles they would fetch prices 5 to 10 times as high - they are that great).Good luck and thanks for sharing on BP!

Maybe the weather holds it backI'm a Boston native and just finished a coffee inside the massive, beautiful central public library here with names of philosophers like Kant carved into the wall.

Both the weather and new england style roads make it more challenging.

I just came from a presentation on the economic forecast for Bellingham/Whatcom County and the housing market.  

Smoke and soot react differently in cold weather than warm weather.

Weather, theft, neighbor hit my parked car, wrong appraisal, had a baby, material delays and discontinues, inspectors,  HOAs, neighbors, partners go awol, etc.