(we're self-employed in an industry not related to RE) .

Metros like Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh, Tampa and Jacksonville have seen employment growth (both in terms of job numbers and industry diversification) and rent growth.

They have a few keynote speakers, 3-4 panels, and various educational sessions vendors that give multifamily investors exposure into many facets of the industry. 

@Murali MudddanCash flow properties, rent growth, population growth, job growth, job industry diversification (I.E. not being tied to one particular industry are great and disciplined investment criteria. 

I started lending in 2002 in the mid west with the birth of the turnkey industry as we know it today.And Memphis has been a OOS investor market for all those years  with over 50% of the population being renters and untold thousands of houses that are rentals I dont see it changing anytime soon..

Industry articles from DsNews.com is probably another good source.

No doubt the change was pushed by the industry purportedly to help consumers but actually to limit competition and further monopolize the MLS.

My work has taken me from leases on Wall St in NYC to small industrial leases in Joliet, IL and beyond.

One of the interesting things about this industry is that the data seems to be a real PITA to get.

I agree it's pretty simple when you break the big numbers down to the smaller manageable sizes and make assumptions based on industry standards i.e. 50% rule loan-to-value 80% etc.