However you need to make sure you also understand how to maintain the entity if you're going to go that route.2) Look at the numbers on the market - employment growth, population growth, rent growth, economic diversity - things like that.

Cities have economic development departments, or the like, which publish all sorts of data on demographics, income, housing, schools, population growth, growth, employment,  and a host of other data.

I am in central Arkansas and don’t really deal around that area but it’s population is around 1,700.

The vibrant downtown and cultural opportunities will continue to draw in residents from across the distressed state, and the metro area’s population continues to climb at a level that surpasses the national index.Areas like Olde Towne East and Franklinton continue gentrifying, and the arrival of Columbus Crew’s new stadium will likely further boost demand for downtown apartments.

I've started by researching which cities have the best market to buy properties using the criteria of projected population increase, strongest economy, and price to rent ratio for now.

I believe it is smart to buy and hold anywhere in or near Columbus.http://www.morpc.org/news/central-ohio-population-to-reach-3-million-by-2050/

You can search population growth, employer diversity, median income, crime rates, future development plans, population demographics, average rent compared to housing cost etc.

Also:-Fastest growing city in the US last year (population)-5th largest city in the US-Still very affordable cost of living-7.7% rent growth last 12 monthsHere's a recent good article about Phoenix.I'd ask, how often do you plan to visit the market anyways?

@Christopher Sineno @Gordon Starr Can you give some reasons why Dayton's population has been in decline since 1960?

I've finished my research at theMSA level and chosen Columbus, OH as the market I first want to enter for various reasons; primarily budget, price-to-rent ratios, population growth, job growth, job diversification, etc.As I begin myresearch at the submarket level, I'm first looking to get a lay of the land ofthe different neighborhoods and ultimately map the city with"A"-"D" grades for each neighborhood.