Where ever unemployment is low or decreasing (census.gov) dept of labor statistics bls.gov  This will tell you if a city will be growing and if it has the jobs to support the growthIf you want to predict it even farther out you would have to look for markets near other booming markets where people move once theyre priced out of the core market

Hi members, Mindy and Scott.Long post incoming.I've found a new ambition to become not even financially independent just yet, but to first become financially stable and stop living week to week like my parents,  brothers, friends and everyone else in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, AUS.After listening to 15 hours of the bigger pockets money podcast in the last two days I've decided that I need to start right now, not tomorrow or Monday.I am 24 years old, I have a child to my ex partner who I pay child support to and I have her every weekend at mine and my pregnant fiancé's house.I work 2 jobs.

MF have worked well for me and are helping me to fast forward my path to Financial Independence.

I am an independent insurance adjuster and have handled claims for 100+ insurers. 

Our goal is to achieve financial independence one day and would like to start with house hacking in a multifamily home and hopefully grow from that experience. 

If the current value of the property is way over list, then a lowball would make you look like a fool.You need to learn how to value property independent of the list price.

Ultimately my end goal is to own numerous properties and gain financial independence through the cash flow.

Ask an independent realtor, what they think the property would sell for if vacant? 

@Jay Helms: :)) financial independence and consistent cash flow.

You will find a ton of useful information to help you with your foray into real estate investing.See here for the Guides: BP GuidesSee here for the FREE video series: The Financial Independence BlueprintSee here for the blog: The BiggerPockets BlogSearch MeetUp.com for local meetups.And check out the New Orleans Real Estate Investors Association (NOREIA)