I'm in the process of starting a real estate company for Buy and Holding investment properties and wanted to know, how exactly do you spot employment trends marketing trends etc. which in tern would allow you to make better decisions when it comes to purchasing the right property in the right location. 

It is at a cost of $40 per adult tenant.For Tenant, if they are interested in signing a lease:1.Fill out preliminary hard copy application.2.Verify application for 3 times monthly rent income (call employer), pay stubs, no felony, no evictions, at least 1 year on job.3.Query in State Courts Online system.4.Query Facebook, searching for anything “negative”. 5.Query County Assessor website that they live in, looking for homes owned/foreclsoures in process. 6.Contact prior landlords (last two if possible).7.If applicant passes preliminary screening, send online application ($40 fee) via website MySmartMove.com.8.Review screening for 600+ credit score (B class property), on time payments, debt to income, eviction and criminal history.For Prior Landlord(s):1.How long were they tenants at address?

He is now employed for the past 2 months and expects a good paycheck.

Are there demand drivers now, like great schools, great employers, growing university?

If you're going to hold long-term, I would look at things like population growth, employment growth, wage growth, demographic changes, taxes (both as property owner and for working tenants), public investment, are there private investors and what are they doing, etc.

As such, you probably don't need a Realtor, however, I would highly recommend you employ the services of a real estate attorney.

Thanks for any advice,CharlieHome Value                         $245,000Mortgage                              $97,000Rollover 401k                       $145,910Roth                                       $22,632Current Employer 401k     $45,000Expected 2019 Income      $100,000Work Paying for College     $18,000Car Debt                                $9,000Cash                                       $10,000

I’m wondering if there are any bank real estate appraisers here in the group?I would like to ask an appraiser a question about a potential multi family investment property.So if the property is in need of say $150k in...

@Paul Kennedy If you are self-employed (i.e. active self-employment earned income separate from your w-2 income) with no full-time w-2 employees, you can set up a Solo 401k and then rollover your 401k funds once you leave your current job.

@Hunter AdamsAt issue is whether you are speaking about a 401(k) with your current employer or one from prior employment.Your current employer 401(k) will be limited to investing in what the plan administrator offers/allows, which will not likely include private lending.