The economy needs to be diverse and the population needs to be growing.  

Come summer time, there's no vacancies and a large population stays year round.Pick with a view and strolling distance to the sand - - - Cha Ching.

Does anyone go by census numbers of population growth and home sales..ect to plan where they invest.

I just noticed at the top left of the screen with the map you can toggle between wealth mode and population mode.  

Here are the main economic drivers happening in Downtown or North Everett where we invest right now:The comprehensive growth plan for Everett, WA (https://everettwa.gov/1395/2035-Comprehensive-Plan) has lofty goals of increase the population of Everett by 61,000 people from 2015-2035.

One major city has a good mix of bank owned , auction, and pre-foreclosures while another city of the same population size shows 0 foreclosures. 

@Sam AkifA few questions to ask yourself which will help you decide:Who is your tenant population?

It seems like they keep adding apartments without any significant increase in population.

For example I know most properties a few blocks from college, or close to a military base are solid indicators if the numbers work, but what else.All major operations use some type of model that's a lot more complex, for example, Walmart or Sheetz gas station have some type of population and traffic to housing location model that works.Thanks in advanced.

Just know that the less experience you have, the less populous the market, and the smaller the loan amount you are seeking, the more the debt will cost you.