This is my first time on BP and I can't wait to hear from some of you on this trend.

Consider factors such as crime, schools, employers, type of industries, housing supply, population trends, government regulations and cost of living.Lumping the entire midwest together as one market is a mistake (and Georgia is in the south).

I am in the San Francisco Bay Area, hottest market in the country by most accounts.

If you analyze 20-30 properties a week, the trends will start to develop -assuming they are in the same general market.Your PM should be a good resource for determining the $/unit.  

(Penfed excluded from the generalization)3 or 4 years ago, PenFed 15/15 was the hottest thing in town. :) 

So, the trend you see in property prices over the last few years is what will likely happen to rents in the future.

In my opinion rates will continue trending towards zero/negative. 5.5% is high.

For the past 100 years, the general trend of the market has continue to always get better, so the real question in my view isn't "is now the right time to buy?"

Call or seek out local investors, property managers, and brokers and ask them about market demand, trends, demographics and acquire as much information as possible while making connections in the area.

I just came across a news story which discussed a new trend that could have major real estate implications if it takes off.